“The Bharat Ratan award” is the highest civilian award in India. The meaning of Bharat Ratan is the “Jewel of Bharat”. The concept of Bharat Ratan Award was introduced in the year 1954. When Dr Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India. The selection of the recipients for this Nation’s highest award is given for those who pay a significant contributions in their respective fields. Primarily it was decided and restricted to the maximum 3 award were given every year, but the award is given more then three recipient for two times i.e in the year 1999 and 2024. Every year the recommendation for the selection of the recipients of this award by the Prime Minister of India and no formal recommendations for Bharat Ratan are necessary. The nomination of the recipient will be without distinction of race, occupation, position and gender.
Originally the Bharat Ratan award was limited to the achievements in the arts, literature, science, and public services, but in year 2011 the Government of India expanded the criteria to include “Any Field of Human Endeavour”.
Try to attempt related MCQ
The winner of this nation’s highest honour is given a certificate called a “Sanad” and the signature of the President of India is present on the certificate. The Bharat Ratan medallion is in the shape of a Peepal leaf but no monetary benefit grant associated with this award. As per the list published by the secretariat of President of India in respect of the Indian order of precedence, the rank of Bharat Ratan awardee is seventh, which equivalent to the Union Cabinet Ministers.
Who are eligible to become the recipient for the Bharat Ratan Award?
It is preferred that the recipient of award be an Indian citizens, but people of any nationality are eligible to receive this award. A person of any caste, gender, or sex can be the awarded the Bharat Ratan. Individuals are nominated by the Prime Minister of India by its own and no further recommendations required.
Who were the first recipients of the Bharat Ratan?
First time in the year 1954 in Indian history C. Rajagopalachari, the former Governor-General of the Union of India, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the former President of the Republic of India and C. V. Raman, the Indian physicist were honoured for this prestigious award and became the first recipient of Bharat Ratan. Total 53 individual recipients were there from 1954 to till date the award has been bestowed. Out of these 53 recipients the youngest recipient of the award is only 40 year of his age. His name is world class cricketer Sachin Tendulker and Dhondo Keshav Karve became the oldest recipient when the award was bestow on his 100 year birthday.
Click here to attempt related MCQs/Quiz
Category wise list of important awards in India
Can a Foreign National Get the Bharat Ratna Award?