Top 10 National Awards of India | Top Awards of India
Awards are a motivational booster that one receives for outstanding efforts and utter excellence in their professions. Hard work and dedication are believed to be the bedrock of every achievement and awards are an official recognition mark for one’s success.
The Republic of India honors the achievers for a variety of services they pay to the nation with some honorary awards. The list is as vast as the number of fields and services. This article takes you to the 10 most important awards of India.
Table of Contents
10 National Awards of India
The National Awards are classified into two categories discussed below.
Civilian Awards
Bharat Ratna
About
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award honored to naturalized Indian Citizens by the Indian Government who have done mark-worthy services in their fields. It is the 1st degree of honor conferred for achievements in the field of Science, Arts, Literature, Sports, and Public Services at the highest level. They were instituted on 2 January 1954. It is conferred for highest order service without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. They are recommended by the Prime Minister to the President and are given to a maximum of three nominees per year. The winners are given a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and the medal.
Design of the Award-
The award is inscribed in the shape of a Peepal leaf with bronze material. Peepal leaf symbolizes the sacred belief as Peepal tree is worshiped as a God. It has an emblem of the Sun in the middle, made of platinum with “Bharat Ratna” written in the Devanagari language. The backside consists of the States Emblem and State Motto “Satyameva Jayate”.
Recipients–
- 1954
- Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
- C. Rajagopalachari
- C. V. Raman
- 1955
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- M. Visvesvaraya
- Bhagwan Das
- 1957
- Govind Ballabh Pant
- 1958
- Dhondo Keshav Karve
- 1961
- Bidhan Chandra Roy
- Purushottam Das Tandon
- 1962
- Rajendra Prasad
- 1963
- Zakir Husain
- Pandurang Vaman Kane
- 1966
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- 1971
- Indira Gandhi
- 1975
- V. V. Giri
- 1976
- K. Kamaraj
- 1980
- Mother Teresa
- 1983
- Vinoba Bhave
- 1987
- Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan
- 1988
- M. G. Ramachandran
- 1990
- Nelson Mandela
- B. R. Ambedkar
- 1991
- Rajiv Gandhi
- Vallabhbhai Patel
- Morarji Desai
- 1992
- Satyajit Ray
- J. R. D. Tata
- Abdul kalam Azad
- 1997
- A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
- Aruna Asaf Ali
- Gulzarilal Nanda
- 1998
- M. S. Subbulakshmi
- Chidambaram Subramaniam
- 1999
- Amartya Sen
- Ravi Shankar
- Gopinath Bordoloi
- Jayaprakash Narayan
- 2001
- Lata Mangeshkar
- Bismillah Khan
- 2009
- Sachin Tendulkar
- C. N. R. Rao
- 2015
- Madan Mohan Malaviya
- Atal Bihari Vajpayee
- 2019
- Pranab Mukherjee
- Nanaji Deshmukh
- Bhupen Hazarika
The above list is very informative for the students appearing for any competitive exam. It is also to be noted that Bharat Ratna awards were conferred in 2020 and 2021.
Padma Vibhushan
About
The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in the Republic of India conferred to people for their services in the field of Arts, Science, Literature, and Public Services. The awards are given to people regardless of any distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. They were instituted on 2 January 1954. The recommendations are considered after taking into account all the state and UT governments, the ministers of the Government of India.
Design of the Award-
The award is inscribed in a circular shape with a lotus flower embossed and is bronze-toned. The lotus symbol emphasizes the national flower of India and has the words “Padma Vibhusan” inscribed in Devnagri Script. The backside consists of the national motto “Satyamev Jayate” and the State Emblem on the lower side.
Recipients–
As of 2021, 314 individuals have been bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan, including 17 posthumous and 21 non-citizen recipients.
First awardees:
1954
- Nandalal Bose
- V. K. Krishna Menon
- Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
- Satyendra Nath Bose
- Zakir Husain
- Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher
Latest Awardees:
2021
- B. B. Lal – Archaeology
- Sudarshan Sahoo – Art
- Maulana Wahiduddin Khan – Spiritualism
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (posthumous) – Art
- Shinzo Abe – Public Affairs
- Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde – Medicine
- Narinder Singh Kapany (posthumous) – Science and Engineering
2022
- CDS Gen. Bipin Rawat- Defence
- Kalyan Singh- Public Affairs
Padma Bhushan
About
The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, conferred to people for service in their field including the Government servants, doctors, and scientists, except the ones working with the public sector undertakings. They were instituted on 2nd January 1954. The recommendations are considered after taking into account all the state and UT governments, the ministers of the Government of India, Bharat Ratna, and Padma Vibhushan awardees.
Design of the Award-
The award is inscribed in a circular shape with a lotus flower embossed and is bronze-toned. The lotus symbol emphasizes the national flower of India and has the words “Padma” inscribed in Devanagri Script and “Bhushan” is below the lotus. The backside consists of the national motto “Satyamev Jayate” and the State Emblem on the lower side. All the embossing is done in goldwork.
Recipients–
First Awardees-
A total of 1270 people have been rewarded with the title.
1954- A total of 23 awards were rewarded.
- M. S. Subbulakshmi – Arts
- Kodandera Subayya Thimayya- Civil Service
- Sukumar Sen- Civil Service
- Satya Narayana Shastri- Medicine
- Jamini Roy- Arts
- A. Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar- Literature & Education
- Pandyala Satyanarayana Rau- Civil Service
- V. Narahari Rao- Civil Service
- Vallathol Narayana Menon- Literature & Education
- Maharaj Kr. Palden T Namgyal- Public Affairs
- Hussain Ahmad Madani- Literature & Education
- V. L. Mehta- Public Affairs
- Josh Malihabad- Literature & Education
- Kariamanickam Srinivasa Krishnan- Science & Engineering
- Amarnath Jha- Literature & Education
- Ajudhiya Nath Khosla- Science & Engineering
- Maithili Sharan Gupt- Literature & Education
- R. R. Handa- Civil Service
- Mahadeva Iyer Ganapati- Civil Service
- Jnan Chandra Ghosh- Science & Engineering
- Radha Krishan Gupta- Civil Service
- Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar- Science & Engineering
- Homi Jehangir Bhabha- Science & Engineering
Latest Awardees-
2021- A total of 10 awards.
- Rajnikant Devidas- Trade and Industry
- Tarlochan Singh- Public Affairs
- Ram Vilas Paswan- Public Affairs
- Keshubhai Patel- Public Affairs
- Kalbe Sadiq
- Nripendra Misra- Civil Service
- Chandrashekhara Kambara- Literature & Education
- Sumitra Mahajan- Public Affairs
- Tarun Gogoi- Public Affairs
- K. S. Chithra- Arts
2022
- Ghulam Nabi Azad- An Indian Politician of the Indian National Congress, was Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir from 2005 to 2008 and was the Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
- Satya Nadella- He is an Indian-born American business executive. He is Microsoft’s executive chairman and CEO, succeeding Steve Ballmer in 2014 as CEO and John W. Thompson in 2021 as chairman.
- Sundar Pichai- He is an Indian-born American business executive. He is the Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Alphabet Inc. and its subsidary Google.
- Pratibha Ray- She is among the most creative women writers of the country whose novels and short stories portray the tension of modern life, corruption and degenration of values in every sphere while questioning the religious and caste discriminations.
- Cyrus poonawalla- He is chairman and Managing Director of the Cyrus poonawalla Group, which includes the Serum Institute of India. This Indian Biotech Company is the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world.
Padma Shri
About
Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, conferred to people for their utter achievements in their fields including the service rendered by the Government employees. It includes various spheres such as art, literature, science, education, industry, social service, and public affairs. It was instituted in 1954.
Unlike the other awards winners selection, Padma Shri has different criteria, the Government of India has provided an online nomination platform where common citizens can recommend the nominations.
Design of the Award-
The Award is inscribed in a circular shape with the identical lotus embossed in the center. The words “Padma Shri” appear in Devanagri, the “Padma” meaning lotus on the top and “Shri” referring to honorific addressing to the recipient.
Recipients–
A total of 3225 people have been honored with the award as of 2021.
In 2021, 102 recipients were awarded.
2022
- Sonu Nigam- He is an Indian singer who began his singong career at the age of four. In his career spanning nearly three decades, he has been a playback singer for several hit films starring the biggest stars of India.
- Neeraj Chopra- He is the first track and field athelete to win a gold medal for India at the Olympics in 2021.
Also read: Top 10 Prestigious Awards of the World | SYLLOGISM Practice Questions with solutions
Gallantry Awards of India:
The Gallantry Awards are given as a part of the Indian Honours System. They have been instituted by the Government of India to honor the defense and security personnel for their bravery, service, and valor. The approval of the Awards Committee is verified by the Ministry of Defence. They were introduced in 1950 and are conferred on Republic Day and Independence Day every year. The awards can also be conferred posthumously.
The Gallantry Awards description is as follows in the order of precedence:
Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
About
Param Vir Chakra is the highest- military award in India for the officers and personnel of all military branches of India. It is rewarded for distinguished acts of bravery and valor by the personnel. The award is conferred by the President of India.
Design of the award-
The medal is circular in shape, bronze-metalled. On the front- side is the National Emblem of India surrounded by four sets of Indra’s Vajra. On the reverse side, “Param Vir Chakra” is embossed in English and Hindi.
Recipients–
A total of 21 PVC medals are awarded of which 14 are posthumous.
- Major Somnath Sharma, 4 Kumao, Badgam Kashmir, November 3,1947
- Naik Jadunath Singh, 1 Rajput, Taindhara, Naushera Kashmir, February 6,1948
- 2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane, Bombay Engineers, Naushera- Rajouri Road, April 11, 1948
- Major Piru Singh, 6 Rajputana Rifles, Tithwal sector. Jammu & Kashmir, July 18,1948
- Lance Naik Karam Singh, 1 Sikh, tithwal sector, Jammu & Kashmir, October 13,1948
- Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria, 3/1 Gorkha Rifles, Katanga, Congo, December 5,1961
- Major Dhan Singh Thapa, 1/8 Gorkha Rifles, Ladakh, October 21,1962
- Subedar Joginder Singh, 1 Sikh, Tawang, Arunachal, October 23,1962
- Major Shaitan Singh, 13 Kumaon Regiment, Rezang La, Chusul sector, Ladakh, November 18,1962
- Lt. Col. A B Tarapore 17 Poona Horse, Phillora Sialkot, Pakistan, September 16,1965
- Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid 4 Granadiers, Cheema, Khem Karan, September 10, 1965
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka 14 Guards, Gangasagar, December 4,1971
- Flying Officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon “Flying Bullets” Squadron, Srinagar, December 14, 1971
- Second Lt. Arun Khetarpal 17 Poona Horse, 47 Infantry Brigade, Shakargarh sector, December 16,1971
- Major Hoshiar Singh Granadiers Regiment, Shakargarh sector, December 17,1971
- Naib Subedar Bana Singh J&K Light Infantry, Siachen, 1987
- Major Ramaswamy Parameswaram Mahar Regiment, Sri Lanka (Operation Pawan), November 25,1987
- Captain Vikram Batra, 13 J&K Rifles, July 7,1999
- Lt. Manoj Kumar Pandey 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, July 3,1999
- Granadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers, July 4,1999
- Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 J&K Rifles, July 4, 1999
Maha Vir Chakra
About
The Maha Vir Chakra is the second-highest military award presented to recognize the act of gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The award may be awarded posthumously. They are awarded for all acts of gallantry on land, air, and sea.
The most number of medals were awarded in a single was in the 1971 Indo- Pakistani War. It was replaced by the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO).
Design of the Award-
The award is circular in shape and made of silver. On the front- side a five-pointed heraldic star with a circular centerpiece bearing the gilded state emblem of India in the center is embossed. On the reverse- side the words “Mahavir Chakra” is embossed in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers in the middle.
Recipients–
Till 2021, there are around 219 defense personnel have been awarded this medal.
- Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, an Indian Army Officer, and the Commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, martyred in action during the 2020 Indo- China skirmishes was honored the Maha Vir Chakra in 2021.
Vir Chakra
About
The Vir Chakra is the third-highest military award in India presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry on the battlefield. They are awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, on land, air, and sea, presented by the Republic of India. It was instituted on 26 January 1950 by the President of India.
Design of the Award-
The award is circular in shape and is made of silver. The front end is centralized with a five-pointed star and a chakra touching the rim. The Chakra is a domed center, bearing the State Emblem. On the reverse- end, it is embossed “Vir Chakra” in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers.
Recipients–
Till 2021, a total of 1322 personnel have received the Vir Chakra.
- Sepoy Gurtej Singh, an Indian Army Officer was awarded the Vir Chakra for his valor in the 2020-2021 China- India skirmishes on 26 January 2021.
Ashoka Chakra
About
The Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration conferred to civilians and military personnel for their actions of bravery and valor or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It was originally instituted on 4 January 1952.
Design of the award-
The award is circular in shape and “Ashok Chakra” is inscribed in Hindi and English, separated by two lotus flowers.
Recipients–
Till 2021, a total of 86 recipients were awarded the Ashoka Chakra, with 68 of them being given posthumously.
First Awardee-
- Naik Narbahadur Thapa and Havildar Bachittar Singh, Indian Army Officers were the first recipients of the Ashok Chakra in 1952.
Latest Awardee-
- Assistant Sub-Inspector Babu Ram, a Police Officer of the Special Operations Group (SOG) Jammu and Kashmir Police branch, was awarded the Ashok Chakra in 2021.
Kirti Chakra
About
The Kirti Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for courageous action or sacrifice away from the battlefield. They may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. It was renamed the Ashoka Chakra Class II in 1967.
Design of the award-
The award is circular in shape and is made of silver. On the front- side a replica of Ashoka Chakra is embossed, surrounded by a lotus wreath. On the reverse- side the words “Kirti Chakra” is embossed in Hindi and English, separated by two lotus flowers.
Recipients–
Till 2021, a total of 496 people are rewarded with the Kirti Chakra, of which 198 were awarded posthumously.
In 1952, 12 people were the first awardees of the honor.
In 2021, 6 personnel were awarded.
- Subedar Sanjeev Kumar, an Indian Army Officer of the 4 para SF (posthumous)
- Head Constable Shyam Narain Singh Yadava, a CRPF Officer (posthumous)
- Constable Vinod Kumar, a CRPF officer (posthumous)
- Inspector Pintu Kumar Singh, a CRPF officer (posthumous)
- Deputy Commandant Rahul Mathur, a CRPF officer (posthumous)
- Constable Altaf Hussain Bhat, a Jammu and Kashmir Police Officer (posthumous)
Shaurya Chakra
About
The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for valor, courageous action, or sacrifice without direct engagement with the battlefield and enemy. They may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. It is generally awarded for counter-insurgency operations and actions against the enemy during peacetime.
Design of the award-
The award is circular in shape and is made of bronze. On the front- side a replica of the Ashoka Chakra is surrounded by a lotus wreath. On the reverse side, the words “Shaurya Chakra” are embossed in Hindi and English and are separated by two lotus flowers.
Recipients-
As of 2021, a total of 2014 Shaurya Chakra have been rewarded.
FAQs
The Bharat Ratna was first given in 1954 to C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C. V. Raman.
It is the 1st degree of honor conferred for achievements in the field of Science, Arts, Literature, Sports, and Public Services at the highest level.
Sachin Tendulkar is the youngest recipient and the first sportsperson to receive the award in 2014, for his contribution to the Indian Cricket team.
Indira Gandhi was the first female recipient and first female Prime Minister of India to receive the award in 1971.
The Padma Award winners are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
Government servants working with Private Sector Undertakings, except doctors and scientists are considered ineligible for the awards.
Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, conferred to people for their utter achievements in their fields including the service rendered by the Government employees. It includes various spheres such as art, literature, science, education, industry, social service, and public affairs.
The President of India confers the awards to the winners at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Lt Col Harbans Lal Mehta was awarded the first Maha Vir Khakra for his valor in the operations in Sialkot Sector on 8 September 1965.
Colonel Bikkumalla Santosh Babu, an Indian Army Officer and the Commanding officer of 16 Bihar Regiment, martyred in action during the 2020 Indo- China skirmishes was honored the Maha Vir Chakra in 2021.
The ribbon of the Maha Vir Chakra ribbon is half-white and Half- orange in color.
Neerja Bhanot, an Indian head flight purser on Pan Am Flight 73 which was hijacked by terrorists on 5 September 1986, is the first woman recipient of the Ashoka Chakra.
