Awards and Honours
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Why This Chapter Matters
Awards and honours questions test whether a candidate understands the structure of India's civilian and gallantry honours system and the world's major international prizes — not whether they can name a specific recent winner. SSC GD and RPF Constable exams typically ask about the hierarchy of an award, the field it recognises, or the year/context of its institution, all of which are stable facts. This chapter is organised around that principle: institutional facts you can rely on, without guessing at recent-year recipients.
Bharat Ratna — India's Highest Civilian Award
The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour, instituted in 1954. It is awarded for exceptional service toward the advancement of art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order, without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex. Originally, the award was meant only for living persons, but the rules were amended in 1955 to allow posthumous conferment as well.
The award consists of a peepal-leaf-shaped medallion (the design has changed over the years) and does not carry any monetary grant. Recipients are entitled to use the honour in their biodata but not as a prefix or suffix to their name (unlike, say, a formal title), and the number of Bharat Ratna awards given in any year is generally limited by convention rather than by strict statutory cap. The award was briefly suspended between 1977 and 1980 before being reinstated.
Padma Awards — The Second Tier of Civilian Honours
Below the Bharat Ratna sit the three Padma awards, also instituted in 1954 and together forming India's principal annual civilian honours, announced each year on the eve of Republic Day:
| Award | Rank | Recognises |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | Second-highest civilian award | Exceptional and distinguished service, of the highest order, in any field |
| Padma Bhushan | Third-highest civilian award | Distinguished service of a high order in any field |
| Padma Shri | Fourth-highest civilian award | Distinguished service in any field |
Fields recognised under the Padma awards include art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, and others. Like the Bharat Ratna, the Padma awards are announced by the President of India and do not carry a cash prize; recipients receive a certificate (sanad) and a medallion. The awards are administered by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister each year, which examines nominations and recommends names to the President.
Gallantry Awards
India's gallantry awards recognise acts of bravery, distinguished separately for wartime and peacetime valour:
| Award | Category | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Param Vir Chakra | Wartime gallantry — highest | India's highest military decoration, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy |
| Maha Vir Chakra | Wartime gallantry — second-highest | Awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy |
| Vir Chakra | Wartime gallantry — third-highest | Awarded for gallantry in the presence of the enemy |
| Ashoka Chakra | Peacetime gallantry — highest | India's highest peacetime military decoration, equivalent in stature to the Param Vir Chakra |
| Kirti Chakra | Peacetime gallantry — second-highest | Awarded for conspicuous gallantry other than in the face of the enemy |
| Shaurya Chakra | Peacetime gallantry — third-highest | Awarded for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy |
These awards can be given to military personnel as well as, in the case of the peacetime categories, civilians and CAPF personnel who display exceptional courage.
Gandhi Peace Prize
The Gandhi Peace Prize is an annual award instituted by the Government of India in 1995, on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It recognises contributions toward social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods, and it is open to individuals and institutions regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex. The award includes a monetary prize, a citation, and a plaque, and is decided by a jury chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
Nobel Prizes
The Nobel Prizes are among the world's most prestigious international awards, established according to the will of Swedish industrialist and inventor Alfred Nobel, and first awarded in 1901. There are six Nobel Prize categories:
| Category | Recognises | Awarding Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | Outstanding contributions to the field of physics | Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
| Chemistry | Outstanding contributions to chemistry | Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences |
| Physiology or Medicine | Discoveries in physiology or medicine | Karolinska Institute |
| Literature | Outstanding work in an idealistic direction in literature | Swedish Academy |
| Peace | Efforts for fraternity between nations, disarmament, and peace | Norwegian Nobel Committee |
| Economic Sciences | Outstanding contributions to economics | Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (award instituted by Sveriges Riksbank in 1968, first given 1969) |
Five of the original categories (Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace) were specified in Alfred Nobel's 1895 will; the Economics prize, formally called the "Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel," was added later by Sweden's central bank and is not technically an original Nobel Prize category, though it is presented alongside the others. All Nobel Prizes except the Peace Prize are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden; the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, per Nobel's will.
Indians and the Nobel Prize
- Rabindranath Tagore (1913): Nobel Prize in Literature, for Gitanjali — the first Asian Nobel laureate.
- C.V. Raman (1930): Nobel Prize in Physics, for the discovery of the "Raman Effect" relating to the scattering of light.
- Har Gobind Khorana (1968): Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, shared, for research on the genetic code (as a US citizen of Indian birth).
- Mother Teresa (1979): Nobel Peace Prize, for her work with the poor and destitute in Kolkata through the Missionaries of Charity.
- Subramanyan Chandrasekhar (1983): Nobel Prize in Physics, for theoretical work on the structure and evolution of stars (as a US citizen of Indian birth).
- Amartya Sen (1998): Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, for contributions to welfare economics.
- Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (2009): Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shared, for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome (as a naturalised US citizen of Indian birth).
- Kailash Satyarthi (2014): Nobel Peace Prize, shared, for work against child labour and for children's rights.
- Abhijit Banerjee (2019): Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences, shared, for experimental approaches to alleviating global poverty (Indian-American economist).
Major International Awards
| Award | Field | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Booker Prize (now the Booker Prize, formerly Man Booker Prize) | Literature (English-language novel) | Awarded annually to the best novel written in English and published in the UK/Ireland |
| International Booker Prize | Literature (translated fiction) | Awarded for a book translated into English, shared equally between author and translator |
| Pulitzer Prize | Journalism, literature, and musical composition | American award, administered by Columbia University |
| Ramon Magsaysay Award | Public service and community leadership in Asia | Named after a former President of the Philippines; often referred to as "Asia's Nobel Prize" |
| Templeton Prize | Contributions affirming life's spiritual dimension | Awarded for work bridging science and spirituality |
| Right Livelihood Award | Practical solutions to global problems | Established in Sweden; sometimes called the "Alternative Nobel Prize" |
| Abel Prize | Mathematics | Considered equivalent to a Nobel Prize for mathematics, which has no Nobel category of its own |
| Fields Medal | Mathematics | Awarded once every four years to mathematicians under 40 at the International Congress of Mathematicians |
Major Indian National Awards (Beyond Bharat Ratna/Padma)
| Award | Field | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sahitya Akademi Award | Literature | Given by the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters) for outstanding literary works in Indian languages |
| Jnanpith Award | Literature | India's highest literary honour, given for the "most outstanding contribution" to Indian literature; instituted by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust in 1961/1965 |
| Dronacharya Award | Sports coaching | Recognises excellence in sports coaching |
| Arjuna Award | Sports | Recognises outstanding achievement in national sports |
| Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna) | Sports | India's highest sporting honour, for the most spectacular sporting performance |
| National Film Awards | Cinema | Instituted in 1954; presented by the Directorate of Film Festivals |
| Kalinga Prize | Popularisation of science | UNESCO award administered with the Government of Odisha's involvement, for popularising science |
How the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards Differ from Gallantry Awards
A frequently tested distinction: the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are civilian honours recognising service or achievement in fields like art, science, literature and public affairs, and they are announced around Republic Day. Gallantry awards (Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, and their tiers) specifically recognise acts of bravery, either in wartime (in the presence of the enemy) or peacetime, and are typically announced around Independence Day or Republic Day depending on the award. Do not confuse the "highest civilian award" (Bharat Ratna) with the "highest military/wartime gallantry award" (Param Vir Chakra) or the "highest peacetime gallantry award" (Ashoka Chakra) — these are three separate top honours in three separate categories.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Bharat Ratna — India's highest civilian award, instituted 1954; can be awarded posthumously since 1955.
- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri form the second, third and fourth tiers of civilian honours, all instituted in 1954.
- Param Vir Chakra is India's highest wartime gallantry award; Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in 1995 to mark Gandhi's 125th birth anniversary; open to individuals and institutions worldwide.
- Nobel Prizes are awarded in six categories: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences.
- Alfred Nobel's original 1895 will specified five categories; the Economics prize was added later by Sveriges Riksbank in 1968.
- All Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm except the Peace Prize, awarded in Oslo.
- Rabindranath Tagore (1913, Literature) was the first Indian/Asian Nobel laureate; C.V. Raman (1930, Physics) was the first Indian to win a science Nobel while an Indian citizen.
- The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary honour, distinct from the government-administered Sahitya Akademi Award.
- The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India's highest sporting honour.
Practice MCQs
- In which year was the Bharat Ratna instituted?
(a) 1947 (b) 1950 (c) 1954 (d) 1961
Answer: (c) 1954. India's highest civilian award was instituted in 1954. - Which of the following is India's highest wartime gallantry award?
(a) Ashoka Chakra (b) Kirti Chakra (c) Param Vir Chakra (d) Vir Chakra
Answer: (c) Param Vir Chakra. It is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy. - Which award is considered India's highest peacetime gallantry decoration?
(a) Ashoka Chakra (b) Shaurya Chakra (c) Kirti Chakra (d) Maha Vir Chakra
Answer: (a) Ashoka Chakra. It is the peacetime equivalent in stature to the Param Vir Chakra. - The Gandhi Peace Prize was instituted in which year?
(a) 1948 (b) 1969 (c) 1995 (d) 2000
Answer: (c) 1995. It marked the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. - How many categories of Nobel Prize are awarded?
(a) Five (b) Six (c) Seven (d) Four
Answer: (b) Six. Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economic Sciences. - Which Nobel Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, rather than Stockholm, Sweden?
(a) Literature (b) Peace (c) Physics (d) Economic Sciences
Answer: (b) Peace. As specified in Alfred Nobel's will. - Who was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize?
(a) C.V. Raman (b) Rabindranath Tagore (c) Mother Teresa (d) Amartya Sen
Answer: (b) Rabindranath Tagore. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913. - C.V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in which field, and for what discovery?
(a) Chemistry, for the periodic table (b) Physics, for the Raman Effect (c) Medicine, for the genetic code (d) Physics, for the theory of relativity
Answer: (b) Physics, for the Raman Effect. Awarded in 1930 for work on light scattering. - The Padma Vibhushan ranks at which position among India's civilian awards?
(a) Highest (b) Second-highest (c) Third-highest (d) Fourth-highest
Answer: (b) Second-highest. It ranks below the Bharat Ratna. - Which award is described as India's highest literary honour, distinct from the Sahitya Akademi Award?
(a) Booker Prize (b) Jnanpith Award (c) Padma Shri (d) National Film Award
Answer: (b) Jnanpith Award. It recognises the most outstanding overall contribution to Indian literature. - The Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences was added by which institution, and when?
(a) United Nations, 1948 (b) Sveriges Riksbank, 1968 (c) Swedish Academy, 1901 (d) Norwegian Nobel Committee, 1969
Answer: (b) Sveriges Riksbank, 1968. First awarded in 1969, it is not part of Alfred Nobel's original 1895 will. - India's highest sporting honour is currently known as which award?
(a) Arjuna Award (b) Dronacharya Award (c) Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (d) Padma Shri
Answer: (c) Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Understanding the Award Announcement Calendar
India's civilian awards (Bharat Ratna and the three Padma awards) are conventionally announced on the eve of Republic Day, 25 January, and formally conferred at investiture ceremonies held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the year. Gallantry awards for the armed forces are typically announced twice a year, around Republic Day and Independence Day, reflecting the two major national occasions on which such honours are traditionally recognised. The Sahitya Akademi Award and Jnanpith Award follow their own annual cycles, set by their respective administering bodies rather than being tied to a national holiday.
Structure of India's Civilian Honours System
It helps to think of India's civilian honours as a four-tier pyramid, with the Bharat Ratna alone at the apex, followed by the three Padma awards in descending order of distinction:
| Tier | Award | Typical Numbers Conferred (illustrative, varies by year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (highest) | Bharat Ratna | Very few conferred in any given year; sometimes none |
| 2 | Padma Vibhushan | A limited, small number each year |
| 3 | Padma Bhushan | A moderate number each year |
| 4 | Padma Shri | The largest number among the four, recognising grassroots and specialised contributions |
Because the exact count fluctuates from year to year based on committee recommendations, exam questions rarely test the precise annual number; instead they test the ranking order and the criteria each tier recognises, which is why the ranking table above is the more exam-relevant fact to memorise.
Other Notable Global Recognitions Relevant to General Studies
| Award / Recognition | Field | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site status | Cultural and natural heritage | Not a personal award but a site designation; India has a large number of inscribed sites across cultural and natural categories |
| Man of the Match / Man of the Series (Cricket) | Sports | Common terminology tested alongside sports GK, not a formal national honour |
| Olympic medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze) | Sports | Awarded at the Olympic Games, organised by the International Olympic Committee once every four years |
| Sangeet Natak Akademi Award | Performing arts | India's national academy award for music, dance and drama |
| Lalit Kala Akademi Award | Visual arts | National academy award for painting, sculpture and graphic arts |
Distinguishing the Three National Akademis
India has three major national akademis (academies) set up in the 1950s to promote and recognise excellence in the arts, and their awards are frequently confused with each other in exams:
- Sahitya Akademi (1954): The National Academy of Letters, recognising literature in India's official languages.
- Sangeet Natak Akademi (1952): India's national academy for music, dance and drama, the oldest of the three national akademis.
- Lalit Kala Akademi (1954): The National Academy of Art, recognising visual arts such as painting and sculpture.
Key Distinctions Worth Memorising for Exams
- Civilian award vs gallantry award: civilian awards (Bharat Ratna, Padma series) honour achievement or service in a field; gallantry awards (Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, and related tiers) honour specific acts of bravery.
- National award vs international award: the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are conferred by the Government of India, while the Nobel Prizes, Booker Prize and Pulitzer Prize are administered by foreign or international bodies.
- Peace-focused awards: both the Nobel Peace Prize and the Gandhi Peace Prize recognise contributions to peace, but they are entirely separate awards from different countries/institutions with different histories and juries.
- Award vs academy: the Sahitya Akademi Award (government-linked, for regional-language literature) is distinct from the Jnanpith Award (privately instituted by the Bharatiya Jnanpith trust), even though both recognise literary excellence.