Unveiling Civilian Awards in India 2024: The 4 Categories & Recipients

Civilian Awards in India: Honoring Excellence and Service

Civilian awards in India represent the highest honors awarded by the Government of India to recognize the exceptional achievements and contributions of individuals across various fields. These prestigious awards are presented to citizens who have made significant impacts on society. There are four primary categories of civilian awards in India: Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Each year, on Republic Day, the President of India presents these awards to honor extraordinary contributions.

The highest of these awards is the Bharat Ratna, which is bestowed for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor. The most recent recipient of the Bharat Ratna in 2024 is Karpoori Thakur, a renowned socialist leader from Bihar known for his contributions to social justice and governance. His legacy continues to influence and inspire.

In this article, we explore the esteemed realm of civilian awards in India, where dedication, talent, and service come together to celebrate remarkable achievements and create compelling stories of impact.

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Highеst Civilian Awards in India

1. Bharat Ratna: Highest Civilian Award (1st Degree of Honor)

The name of the highest civilian award in India is Bharat Ratna, meaning “Jewel of India” in Sanskrit, and is the most prestigious civilian honor bestowed by the Republic of India. Established in 1954, it recognizes exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field, from science and literature to public service and social welfare.

Key Points About the Bharat Ratna:

• Institution and Purpose:
  • Instituted in 1954 by the President of India.
  • It aims to honor distinguished service or outstanding contributions of Indian citizens or foreigners to the nation or humanity.
  • Does not carry any monetary grant or special privileges but symbolizes respect and admiration.
• Design and Presentation:
  • It consists of a bronze medallion shaped like a peepal leaf (approximately 370 grams).
  • Features an embossed image of the Sun and the words “Bharat Ratna.”
  • Worn around the neck with a white ribbon.
  • Accompanied by a certificate signed by the President and a smaller replica of the medallion.
• Recipients:
  • The first recipients in 1954 were C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C.V. Raman.
  • A total of 53 recipients, including eminent personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mother Teresa, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Lata Mangeshkar.
  • Can be awarded posthumously (e.g., Lal Bahadur Shastri, B.R. Ambedkar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Ravi Shankar).
• Selection Process:
  • The President decides based on recommendations from the Prime Minister.
  • Consults a group of respected individuals, including the Vice President, Chief Justice of India, Speaker of Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and others.
• Limitations:
  • Maximum of three recipients per year.
  • Serves as a token of gratitude for individuals who have made remarkable contributions to India.

Bharat Ratna, one of the highest civilian awards in India, remains a prestigious honor, recognizing exceptional achievements and service.

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2. Padma Vibhushan: Second-Highest Civilian Award (2nd Degree of Honor)

The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India awarded by the Republic of India, recognizing exceptional and distinguished service or contributions. Established in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri, it acknowledges outstanding achievements in any field.

Key Points About the Bharat Ratna:

• Institution and Purpose:
  • Instituted in 1954, along with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri.
  • Awarded to individuals for outstanding achievements in any field.
  • Symbolizes national respect and recognition.
• Design and Presentation:
  • Features a larger shiny silver coin.
  • Front: Embossed image of a lotus flower.
  • Reverse side: Depicts the Sun and the State Emblem of India.
  • Worn around the neck with a blue ribbon featuring two white stripes.
  • Accompanied by a certificate signed by the President and a replica of the medal.
• Recipients:
  • Awarded to individuals with exceptional contributions in various domains.
  • Represents the nation’s gratitude and acknowledgment for significant achievements.
• Selection Process:
  • Similar to the Bharat Ratna, the Prime Minister recommends recipients based on consultations with a distinguished committee.

The Padma Vibhushan remains a prestigious honor, celebrating excellence across diverse fields.

3. Padma Bhushan: Third-Highest Civilian Award (3rd Degree of Honor)

The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in India awarded by the Republic of India, bestowed upon individuals who have rendered “distinguished service of a high order” in any field. Instituted in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri, it acknowledges notable achievements across a wide spectrum of disciplines.

Key Points About the Padma Bhushan:

• Institution and Purpose:
  • Instituted in 1954, along with the Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri.
  • Awarded to civilians for outstanding work in any field.
  • Represents national respect and recognition for notable achievements.
• Design and Presentation:
  • Round silver medal.
  • Front: Embossed image of a beautiful lotus flower.
  • Reverse side: Depicts the Sun and India’s emblem.
  • Worn around the neck with a blue ribbon featuring a single white stripe.
  • Accompanied by a certificate signed by the President and a miniature replica of the medallion.
• Recipients:
  • Open to all Indian citizens (except a few government employees) and foreign nationals.
• Selection Process:
  • Similar to the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, the Prime Minister recommends recipients based on consultations with a distinguished committee.

The Padma Bhushan remains a prestigious recognition, celebrating remarkable contributions to India.

4. Padma Shri: Fourth-Highest Civilian Award (4th Degree of Honor)

The Padma Shri is the fourth-highest civilian Award in India awarded by the Republic of India, recognizing distinguished service in any field. Instituted in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, it acknowledges individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation.

Key Points About the Padma Shri:

• Inception:
  • Instituted in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan.
  • Honors exceptional contributions across various domains.
• Design and Symbolism:
  • Circular bronze medal.
  • Front: Features an elegant lotus flower.
  • Reverse side: Depicts the Sun and India’s emblem.
  • Inscribed with the words “Padma Shri.”
• Presentation:
  • Recipients receive a certificate signed by the President.
  • They also receive a miniature replica of the medal.
  • Worn around the neck with a blue ribbon.
• Selection Process:
  • Similar to the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, the Prime Minister recommends recipients based on consultations with a distinguished committee.

The Padma Shri serves as a heartfelt acknowledgment of remarkable achievements.

Civilian Awards in India: Padma Awards

The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors and are governed by specific guidelines:

• Posthumous Awards: Generally, Padma Awards are not conferred posthumously, but exceptions may be made for exceptionally deserving individuals.
• Time Between Awards: Typically, a minimum of five years must elapse between receiving different Padma awards. However, the Awards Committee may consider exceptions in exceptional cases.
• Award Ceremony: The awards are presented by the President of India, usually in March or April each year. Recipients receive a certificate (Sanad) signed by the President and a medallion.
• Medallion Replica: Awardees receive a smaller replica of the medallion, which they may wear during official functions if they choose.
• Annual Limit: The total number of Padma awards conferred each year, excluding posthumous awards and those given to foreign recipients, is capped at 120.
• Not a Title: The Padma Award is not a title and should not be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.

Impact and Legacy of Civilian Awards in India

Civilian awards in India including the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri extend far beyond individual recognition. Let’s explore their profound impact and enduring legacy:

1. Cultural Heritage

Preserving Traditions

• These awards celebrate excellence across diverse fields—arts, literature, science, sports, and social service.
• By honoring achievers, they reinforce India’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Promoting Art and Literature

• Awardees contribute significantly to Indian art, literature, and music.
• Their works become part of the nation’s cultural tapestry, inspiring generations.

2. National Pride

Symbol of Achievement

• Civilian awards in India symbolize national pride and honor.
• Recipients become ambassadors of India’s achievements on the global stage.

Inspiring Patriotism

• The recognition bestowed upon awardees fosters a sense of patriotism.
• Citizens take pride in their country’s accomplishments.

3. Inspiration for Future Generations

Role Models

• Awardees serve as role models for aspiring individuals.
• Their stories inspire young minds to dream big and work hard.

Promoting Excellence

• The pursuit of excellence becomes contagious.
• Students, professionals, and artists strive to achieve greatness.

4. Upholding Values

Values of Service and Sacrifice

• Many awardees have dedicated their lives to social causes.
• Their selflessness inspires others to contribute to society.

Ethical Leadership

• Awardees exemplify ethical leadership.
• Their actions reinforce the importance of integrity and compassion.

The civilian awards in India transcend individual achievements, leaving an indelible mark on India’s cultural legacy. Their impact resonates through generations, fostering pride and excellence.

Notable Recipients of Civilian Awards in India

Delve into the remarkable stories of individuals who have left an indelible mark on society through their exceptional contributions. From Nobel laureates to social reformers, these awardees inspire generations and uphold the nation’s values.

1. Bharat Ratna Awardees

C. Rajagopalachari (1954)

• An Indian independence activist, statesman, and lawyer.
• The last Governor-General of independent India.
• Founder of the Swatantra Party, advocating for economic freedom and individual rights.

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1954)

• India’s first Vice President (1952–62) and second President (1962–67).
• A philosopher, author, and educationist.
• His birthday (September 5) is celebrated as “Teachers’ Day” in India.

C. V. Raman (1954)

• A Nobel laureate physicist renowned for his groundbreaking work on light scattering (Raman scattering).
• Contributed significantly to atomic physics and electromagnetism.

2. Padma Vibhushan Awardees

Satyendra Nath Bose (1954)

• Eminent physicist and mathematician.
• He is known for his collaboration with Albert Einstein on Bose-Einstein statistics.
• His work laid the foundation for quantum mechanics.

Nandalal Bose (1954)

• Celebrated painter and one of the pioneers of modern Indian art.
• He is known for his role in the Bengal School of Art and his iconic paintings.

Zakir Husain (1954)

• Philosopher, educationist, and India’s third President (1967–69).
• Promoted education and cultural understanding.

Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (1954)

• Premier of the United Provinces (1937–39, 1946–50).
• First Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1950–54).
• Served as Union Home Minister from 1955–61.

3. Padma Shri Awardees

Parbati Baruah

• India’s first female elephant handler (mahout).
• Broke gender barriers and contributed to wildlife conservation.

Gurvinder Singh

• A social worker from Haryana.
• His efforts have positively impacted the lives of many.

Yanung Jamoh Lego

• Revived herbal healing practices of the Adi tribe in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Preserved indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage.

Prema Dhanraj

• A burn victim turned plastic reconstructive surgeon.
• Helped countless burn victims regain their lives.

Rohan Bopanna

• A professional tennis player.
• He became the oldest World No. 1 in men’s tennis at the age of 43.

The recipients of civilian awards in India exemplify excellence, resilience, and dedication. Their contributions continue to inspire generations. These remarkable individuals have left an indelible mark on society through their exceptional contributions. Their stories serve as a beacon of inspiration for generations to come.

Recent Awardees of Civilian Awards in India 2024

Delve into the remarkable stories of individuals who have left an indelible mark on society through their exceptional contributions. From Nobel laureates to social reformers, the recipients of civilian awards in India inspire generations and uphold the nation’s values. Here is the list of civilian awards in India in 2024:

Recent Bharat Ratna Awardees (2024)

1. Karpoori Thakur (Posthumous):

• A well-known socialist leader from Bihar.
• His contributions to social justice and governance have left a lasting impact.

2. L. K. Advani:

• A prominent politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of India.
• He is known for his role in shaping Indian politics.

3. P. V. Narasimha Rao:

• Former Prime Minister of India (1991–1996).
• Instrumental in driving economic reform and liberalization.

4. Charan Singh:

• Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Minister.
• Singh advocated for farmers’ rights and rural development.

5. M. S. Swaminathan:

• Eminent agricultural scientist and geneticist.
• Pioneered the Green Revolution in India.

Recent Padma Vibhushan Awardees (2024)

1. Vyjayanthimala:

• Renowned actress, classical dancer, and parliamentarian.
• Contributed significantly to Indian cinema and dance.

2. Chiranjeevi:

• Veteran actor, producer, and politician from Andhra Pradesh.
• He is known for his iconic roles in Telugu cinema.

3. Venkaiah Naidu:

• Current Vice President of India and former Union Minister.
• A key figure in Indian politics and public service.

4. Bindeshwar Pathak (Posthumous):

• Social reformer and founder of Sulabh International.
• Worked tirelessly to improve sanitation and hygiene standards.

Recent Padma Shri Awardees (2024)

1. Sonu Nigam:

• Versatile playback singer and musician.
• His soulful voice has touched millions.

2. Neeraj Chopra:

• Olympic gold medalist in the javelin throw.
• Brought glory to India in athletics.

These awardees represent excellence across arts, sports, social work, and more. Their contributions inspire us all.

Awardees of Civilian Awards in India in the Last Three Years 

List of Civilian Awards in India and Awardees 2023 (As Per Degree of Honor)

1. Padma Vibhushan (6)

S.N.	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Shri Balkrishna Doshi (Posthumous)	Others – Architecture	Gujarat
2	Shri Zakir Hussain	Art	Maharashtra
3	Shri S M Krishna	Public Affairs	Karnataka
4	Shri Dilip Mahalanabis (Posthumous)	Medicine	West Bengal
5	Shri Srinivas Varadhan	Science & Engineering	United States of America
6	Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Uttar Pradesh

2. Padma Bhushan (9)

S.N.	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Shri S L Bhyrappa	Literature & Education	Karnataka
2	Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla	Trade & Industry	Maharashtra
3	Shri Deepak Dhar	Science & Engineering	Maharashtra
4	Ms. Vani Jairam	Art	Tamil Nadu
5	Swami Chinna Jeeyar	Others – Spiritualism	Telangana
6	Ms. Suman Kalyanpur	Art	Maharashtra
7	Shri Kapil Kapoor	Literature & Education	Delhi
8	Ms. Sudha Murty	Social Work	Karnataka
9	Shri Kamlesh D Patel	Others – Spiritualism	Telangana

3. Padma Shri (91)

S. No.	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Dr. Sukama Acharya	Others – Spiritualism	Haryana
2	Ms. Jodhaiyabai Baiga	Art	Madhya Pradesh
3	Shri Premjit Baria	Art	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
4	Ms. Usha Barle	Art	Chhattisgarh
5	Shri Munishwar Chanddawar	Medicine	Madhya Pradesh
6	Shri Hemant Chauhan	Art	Gujarat
7	Shri Bhanubhai Chitara	Art	Gujarat
8	Ms. Hemoprova Chutia	Art	Assam
9	Shri Narendra Chandra Debbarma (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Tripura
10	Ms. Subhadra Devi	Art	Bihar
11	Shri Khadar Valli Dudekula	Science & Engineering	Karnataka
12	Shri Hem Chandra Goswami	Art	Assam
13	Ms. Pritikana Goswami	Art	West Bengal
14	Shri Radha Charan Gupta	Literature & Education	Uttar Pradesh
15	Shri Modadugu Vijay Gupta	Science & Engineering	Telangana
16	Shri Ahmed Hussain & Shri Mohd Hussain (Duo)	Art	Rajasthan
17	Shri Dilshad Hussain	Art	Uttar Pradesh
18	Shri Bhiku Ramji Idate	Social Work	Maharashtra
19	Shri C I Issac	Literature & Education	Kerala
20	Shri Rattan Singh Jaggi	Literature & Education	Punjab

Please note that this is not a complete list. Find the complete list here.

List of Civilian Awards and Awardees 2022 (As Per Degree of Honor)

Padma Vibhushan (4)
S.No.	Name	Field	State/Country
1.	Ms. Prabha Atre	Art	Maharashtra
2.	Shri Radheyshyam Khemka(Posthumous)	Literature and Education	Uttar Pradesh
3.	General Bipin Rawat(Posthumous)	Civil Service	Uttarakhand
4.	Shri Kalyan Singh(Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Uttar Pradesh

Padma Bhushan (16)
S. No.	Name	Field	State/Country
1.	Shri Victor Banerjee	Art	West Bengal
2.	Ms. Gurmeet Bawa(Posthumous)	Art	Punjab
3.	Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee	Public Affairs	West Bengal
4.	Shri Natarajan Chandrasekaran	Trade and Industry	Maharashtra
5.	Shri Krishna Ella and Smt. Suchitra Ella* (Duo)	Trade and Industry	Telangana
6.	Ms. Madhur Jaffery	Others-Culinary	United States of America
7.	Shri Devendra Jhajharia	Sports	Rajasthan
8.	Shri Rashid Khan	Art	Uttar Pradesh
9.	Shri Rajiv Mehrishi	Civil Service	Rajasthan
10.	Shri Satya Narayana Nadella	Trade and Industry	United States of America
11.	Shri Sundararajan Pichai	Trade and Industry	United States of America
12.	Shri Cyrus Poonawalla	Trade and Industry	Maharashtra
13.	Shri Sanjaya Rajaram(Posthumous)	Science and Engineering	Mexico
14.	Ms. Pratibha Ray	Literature and Education	Odisha
15.	Swami Sachidanand	Literature and Education	Gujarat
16.	Shri Vashishth Tripathi	Literature and Education	Uttar Pradesh

3. Padma Shri (106)

S. No.	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Shri Prahlad Rai Agarwala	Trade and Industry	West Bengal
2	Prof. Najma Akhtar	Literature and Education	Delhi
3	Shri Sumit Antil	Sports	Haryana
4	Shri T Senka Ao	Literature and Education	Nagaland
5	Ms. Kamalini Asthana and Ms. Nalini Asthana* (Duo)	Art	Uttar Pradesh
6	Shri Subbanna Ayyappan	Science and Engineering	Karnataka
7	Shri J K Bajaj	Literature and Education	Delhi
8	Shri Sirpi Balasubramaniam	Literature and Education	Tamil Nadu
9	Srimad Baba Balia	Social Work	Odisha
10	Ms. Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay	Science and Engineering	West Bengal
11	Ms. Madhuri Barthwal	Art	Uttarakhand
12	Shri Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat	Literature and Education	Jammu and Kashmir

Please note that this is not a complete list. Find the complete list here.

List of Civilian Awards and Awardees 2021 (As Per Degree of Honor)

1. Padma Vibhushan (7)

S.N.	Name	Field	State/Country
1	Shri Shinzo Abe	Public Affairs	Japan
2	Shri S P Balasubramaniam (Posthumous)	Art	Tamil Nadu
3	Dr. Belle Monappa Hegde	Medicine	Karnataka
4	Shri Narinder Singh Kapany (Posthumous)	Science and Engineering	United States of America
5	Maulana Wahiduddin Khan	Others- Spiritualism	Delhi
6	Shri B. B. Lal	Others- Archaeology	Delhi
7	Shri Sudarshan Sahoo	Art	Odisha

2. Padma Bhushan (10)

1	Ms. Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra	Art	Kerala
2	Shri Tarun Gogoi (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Assam
3	Shri Chandrashekhar Kambara	Literature and Education	Karnataka
4	Ms. Sumitra Mahajan	Public Affairs	Madhya Pradesh
5	Shri Nripendra Misra	Civil Service	Uttar Pradesh
6	Shri Ram Vilas Paswan (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Bihar
7	Shri Keshubhai Patel (Posthumous)	Public Affairs	Gujarat
8	Shri Kalbe Sadiq (Posthumous)	Others-Spiritualism	Uttar Pradesh
9	Shri Rajnikant Devidas Shroff	Trade and Industry	Maharashtra
10	Shri Tarlochan Singh	Public Affairs	Haryana

3. Padma Shri (102)

S. No.	Name	Field	State
1	Shri Gulfam Ahmed	Art	Uttar Pradesh
2	Ms. P. Anitha	Sports	Tamil Nadu
3	Shri Rama Swamy Annavarapu	Art	Andhra Pradesh
4	Shri Subbu Arumugam	Art	Tamil Nadu
5	Shri Prakasarao Asavadi	Literature and Education	Andhra Pradesh
6	Ms. Bhuri Bai	Art	Madhya Pradesh
7	Shri Radhe Shyam Barle	Art	Chhattisgarh
8	Shri Dharma Narayan Barma	Literature and Education	West Bengal
9	Ms. Lakhimi Baruah	Social Work	Assam
10	Shri Biren Kumar Basak	Art	West Bengal

Please note that this is not a complete list. Find the complete list here.

Top 10 Civilian Awards in India

The top 10 list of civilian awards in India recognizes outstanding achievements across various fields. These prestigious accolades celebrate excellence, dedication, and contributions to the nation. 🇮🇳

Award	Description
Bharat Ratna	India’s highest civilian awards. Recognizes exceptional service or contributions to the nation.
Padma Vibhushan	Second-highest civilian awards. Distinguished achievements in Arts, Literature, Science, and more.
Padma Bhushan	Third-highest civilian awards. Honors service in various fields.
Padma Shri	Fourth-highest civilian award. Recognizes achievements across domains.
Param Vir Chakra	Highest military decoration for acts of valor during wartime.
Ashoka Chakra	Gallantry award for bravery by civilians during peacetime.
Dada Saheb Phalke	Lifetime achievement award in Indian cinema.
Arjuna Award	Recognizes outstanding athletes in sports.
Sahitya Akademi	Literary award for exceptional works in Indian languages.
Jnanpith Award	Highest literary honor for contributions to Indian literature.

Difference Between Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan

Aspect	Padma Shri	Padma Bhushan
Ranking	Fourth-highest civilian awards in india	Third-highest civilian award in India
Established	1954 (renamed in 1955)	1954 (renamed in 1955)
Criteria	Recognizes distinguished service in any field	Recognizes distinguished service of a high order in any field
Recipients	Individuals showing excellence and service at a local level	Individuals showing excellence and service at a national level
Awarding Body	Government of India	Government of India
Frequency	Annually	Annually

Civilian Awards in India: Conclusion

• In conclusion, Civilian Awards in India, particularly the prеstigious Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, stand as symbols of recognition for еxcеptional contributions across various fields. Thе Bharat Ratna, India’s highеst civilian award, rеflеcts thе nation’s gratitudе to individuals likе Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashеlkar, whosе rеmarkablе achiеvеmеnts in sciеncе and tеchnology еxеmplify thе purpose of the award. Bеyond thе Bharat Ratna, thе Padma awards honor еxcеllеncе in fields ranging from litеraturе to social work. As еvidеncеd by thе divеrsе list of rеcеnt awardееs, civilian awards in India continuе to cеlеbratе and acknowlеdgе outstanding sеrvicе, fostеring a sеnsе of national pridе and apprеciation.

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