UPSC Express

In Focus: Civilian Awards:

• In 1954, Government of India instituted two civilian awards i.e. Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan.
  
• The Padma Vibhushan had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg, which were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in 1955.
  

About: Bharat Ratna

• Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country.
  
• It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
  
• It is treated on a different footing from Padma Award.
  
• Recommendations for Bharat Ratna: The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
  
  • Note: No formal recommendations for Bharat Ratna are necessary.
    
• Maximum number of Bharat Ratna in a year: The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
  
• Government has conferred Bharat Ratna Award on 45 persons till date.
  

About: Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India usually announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
  
• These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
  
• The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
  
• The Awards are given in three categories:
  
  1. Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service)
     
  2. Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order)
     
  3. Padma Shri (distinguished service)
     

The Award:

• The awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
  
• The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc. if the awardees so desire.
  
• The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony.
  
• The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
  
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name
  

Fields/Disciplines eligible for Padma Awards: The Padma award seeks to distinguish works of excellence and is given for and extraordinary achievements in all fields of

• Art
  
• Social work
  
• Public Affairs
  
• Science & Engineering
  
• Trade & Industry
  
• Medicine
  
• Literature & Education
  
• Civil Service
  
• Sports
  
• Others (fields not covered above and may include propagation of Indian Culture, protection of Human Rights, Wild Life protection/conservation etc.)
  

Who are eligible for Padma Awards?

• All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
  
• However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
  

Recommendations for Padma Award:

• The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
  
• The Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members.
  
• The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.
  

Nomination Process:

• The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be done.
  

Maximum Number of Padma Awards in a year:

• The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
  

 Polity & Governance