Awards & Honours in India: Recognizing Excellence Across Fields

Introduction

Awards & Honours serve as recognition for exceptional achievements across various fields, from literature and science to humanitarian efforts and arts. These accolades not only celebrate excellence but also inspire future generations to strive for greatness.

Awards Given By Government Of India

• Bharat Ratna: Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award.
  • First given in 1954, it is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
    • First Awardees: C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. C.V Raman, and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.
    • It was awarded to a naturalized Indian citizen: Mother Teresa (1980);
    • It was awarded to two non-Indians: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan(1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990);
  • Initially, it was for achievements in art, science, literature, and public service, but the criteria expanded in 2011 to include any field of human endeavour.
  • Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President, who selects a maximum of three recipients annually. 
    • No formal recommendations for this are necessary.  
  • Awardees receive a peepal-leaf-shaped medal and a certificate (sanad) without any monetary reward.
  • Bharat Ratna recipients are ranked seventh (7A) in the Indian Order of Precedence.
  • The award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name, as per the Supreme Court under  Article 18(1) of the Constitution. [UPSC-2021]

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• Padma Awards
  • The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours in India, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. 
  • The award seeks to recognise works of distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines. 
  • The awardees are presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
  • Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and are given in three categories [UPSC-2021]
    • Padma Vibhushan: It is the second-highest civilian award in India. Those privileged to get the award are given a citation certificate and a medal, which has a lotus flower in the middle and the words ‘Desh Seva’, embossed on the obverse. It is awarded for ‘exceptional and distinguished service; 
    • Padma Bhushan: It is the third-highest civilian award given by the government of India for ‘distinguished service of a high order.
    • Padma Shri: It is the fourth highest civilian award in India and is given for distinguished contributions to various subjects like arts, literature, sports, politics, industry, medicine, social service, etc. The awardee is given a certificate and a medallion with a three-leafed flower on one side and on the obverse Padma (lotus).
  • The Padma Awards have been given every year except three times – 1977, 1980 and between the years 1993-1997. 

• National Film Awards
• • These are among the most prestigious honours bestowed upon persons who have contributed to the advancement of cinematic art.
  • These prizes have been given out annually since 1954.
  • In 1973, the Directorate of Film Festivals was made responsible for organising these awards.
  • The winners are chosen by a national selection committee appointed by the government. 
    • The award is presented by the Indian President, and the films that won the award are shown to the public. 
  • The National Film Awards also include the very prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award which is presented to those who have spent their entire career contributing to Indian Cinema.
  • The awards are given to the best amongst Indian Bollywood Cinema and from the regional categories.
  • The following five major categories receive this award: Swarna Kamal Or the Golden Lotus Award; Rajat Kamal or Silver Lotus Award; Best Feature film in the languages specified in Schedule VIII of the Constitution; Best Feature Film in languages other than those specified in Schedule VIII of the Constitution: Five categories including English, Bhojpuri, Kokborok, Monpa and Tulu.

Other Literary Honours

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Conclusion

• Awards & Honours stand as symbols of human accomplishment and aspiration. 
  • By acknowledging outstanding contributions, they encourage innovation, perseverance, and excellence, shaping the fabric of society and inspiring individuals to reach their fullest potential.