The Awards are given to the people for their extraordinary contribution to society. Several awards are given to the citizen based on their services to the Nation. There are different categories of awards in India like the Highest Civilian Awards, the Gallantry Awards, and Sports and Literature. Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India. Thereafter, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri are the other prestigious awards given to people from different walks of life. The recipients are selected by the special jury designated by the Government of India. The list of Awards in India including different category has been discussed below.
If we talk about Gallantry Awards in India, Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra are prestigious military awards. Check complete information on Awards in India in different categories below.
Table of Contents
List of Awards in India: Category-wise Details
The name of the different awards given to the people in India for their exceptional service to the country has been described below:
Civilian Awards
The Civilian Awards are awarded to the citizen for their outstanding contribution to society in their respective field of work. These awards are presented to the recipients by the Hon’ble President of India on Republic Day. These awards were started in the year 1954. The Civilian Awards are categorized in the following order:
- Bharat Ratna – Highest Civilian Award
- Padma Vibhushan – 2nd Highest Civilian Award
- Padma Bhushan – 3rd Highest Award in this category
- Padma Shri- 4th Award in Civilian Category
Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna is the highest Civilian Award in India. This award is conferred to the people for their special achievement in the field of Science, Arts, Literature and Public Services. Sports were added in 2013 in this category.
The shape of the award is of a peepal leaf and bronze-toned. It has the emblem of the Sun in the middle and Bharat Ratna inscribed in Devanagari Script below the emblem.
Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award in India. This award is conferred to the people who have achieved in their respective areas of work like Literature, Arts, Science, Public Services.
The Award is a circular shape with a geometric pattern and a lotus flower is embossed. Padma Vibhushan is inscribed below the lotus flower in Devnagri Script.
Padma Bhushan
The third-highest award in the Civilian category is Padma Bhushan. The people from different walks of life who are serving the country with their extraordinary services are recognized through this award. Doctors, Scientists and Government servants and other people are recognized under this category. This award is similar to Padma Vibhushan in design.
Padma Shri
In order of rank, Padma Shri is the fourth award under the Civilian category. The Government of India recognizes the service of the people who are serving the Nation. The share of the Padma Shri Award is the superimposition of a geometric pattern on the circle. The Padma and Shri are embossed below the lotus flower in the centre.
Gallantry Awards
Gallantry Awards are presented to the personnel of the Indian Armed Forces for their bravery and valour during the war. The Gallantry awards are awarded in the following categories:
- Param Vir Chakra
- Ashoka Chakra
- Mahavir Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Vir Chakra
- Shaurya Chakra
Highlights of the Gallantry Awards
- Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra are three prestigious in this category, which was come into existence after the independence.
- These awards are announced twice a year and presented to the recipient on Republic Day and Independence Day.
- The other three awards i.e. Ashok Chaka Class I, Ashok Chakra class II and Ashok Chakra Class II were introduced in 1952. However, later these awards were renamed Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
- The Gallantry Awards are given to the Armed Forces personnel on the recommendation of their respective unit, service headquarters and commanders in the Chain.
Selection Process for Gallantry Awards
- The respective unit of the Armed Forces sends recommendations to the higher authorities.
- The names of recommended personnel are forwarded to the Service Headquarters under the supervision of Commanders in the Chain.
- Ministry of Defence takes final decision on the recommendation of the Awards Committee and other respective bodies.
List of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards 2021
List of Awards in India: Complete Details
| Name of the Award | Category | Establishment Year | Description |
| Bharat Ratna | Civilian | 1954 | Highest Civilian Award to recognize the exceptional service/performance of the highest order. |
| Param Vir Chakra | Military | 1950 | It is the highest gallantry award for wartime performance. The award is given to salute the valour of the military personnel during the war. |
| Ashoka Chakra | Military | 1952 | The Ashok Chakra is the highest military award for peacetime. This series of awards are open to civilians too. The awards are presented on Republic Day and Independence Day. |
| Padma Vibhushan | Civilian | 1954 |
This award is the second-highest civilian honour in India. The award is given to the people for their extraordinary and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by Government servants. |
| Padma Bhushan | Civilian | 1954 |
The third-highest civilian award in India i.e. Padma Bhushan is given to the people for outstanding contribution to society. The contribution of people in their respective areas of work is recognized under this award. |
| Padma Shri | Civilian | 1954 |
In the rank of civilian awards, it comes at fourth rank. The award is given for exceptional and outstanding service in any field including service rendered by Government servants. |
| Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak | Civilian | 1961 |
This award is a Civilian Lifesaving award given by the Government of India for saving lives from drowning, fire, or mine accidents. |
| Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak | Civilian | 1961 | It is a Civilian Lifesaving award given by the GOI for saving lives from drowning, fire, or mine accidents. |
| Jeevan Raksha Padak | Civilian | 1961 |
It is also a Civilian Lifesaving award given by GOI for saving lives from drowning, fire, or mine accidents. |
| Shaurya Chakra | Military | 1952 |
It is a military award for fighting the enemy during war. This award may be granted to civilians or to military personnel and may be awarded posthumously. |
| Vir Chakra | Military | 1947 | Acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air. |
| Vyas Samman | Literature | 1991 |
The award is given annually by the K.K. Birla Foundation and includes a cash payout of Rs 4,00,000. |
| Saraswati Samman | Literature | 1991 |
The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any of the 22 languages of India. |
| Jnanpith award | Literature | 1961 |
This literary award is presented on annual basis by the Bharatiya Jnanpith to an author for their “outstanding contribution towards literature”. |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Film | 1969 |
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest Cine Award in India. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting present the award on annual basis. |
| Arjuna Award | Sports | 1961 |
The award is given to the sports personnel to recognize outstanding achievements in their respective sports. The Arjuna Awards are given annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. |
| Dronacharya Award | Sports | 1985 |
Dronacharya Award is given to the sports coaches for their outstanding contribution. |
| Dhyan Chand Award | Sports | 2002 |
Dhyan Chand Award is a Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports and Games in India. |
| Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award | Sports | 1991 |
It is the highest award in the sports category. Now, it has been renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. |
| Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | Science and Technology | 1958 |
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award is presented on annual basis by the CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) for outstanding research, applied or fundamental, in chemistry, biology, environmental science, mathematics, engineering, medicine and Physics. |
| International Gandhi Peace Prize | Peace | 1995 |
Gandhi Peace Prize is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. The award is presented to the people for their contribution to peace. |
| Sahitya Akademi Award | Literature | 1954 |
The Sahitya Akademi Award is the most prestigious award given to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any Indian language recognized by the Akademi. |
| Sangeet-Natak Akademi Award | Literature | 1952 |
This prestigious award is given for the highest contribution in music, dance and drama. |
The list of Awards in India is an important topic from an exam perspective. The candidates who are preparing for competitive exams should know the Indian award name and category wise details. The questions based on the Indian awards list are often asked in the entrance exams. Therefore, you should read the above information carefully.
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