Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards — Categories and Rules
Under the "Awards and Honours" tag in Patwari's GK-India section, the categories and basic rules of India's highest civilian honours — the Bharat Ratna and the three Padma Awards — are given here.
- GK-India · Awards and Honours
- 5 min read
India's Civilian Honours
The Bharat Ratna is the country's highest civilian honour, awarded for exceptional contribution in the fields of art, literature, science, public service, or sport. It was instituted in 1954. Just below it come the three categories of the Padma Awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri — which have also been given since 1954.
The Padma Awards are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day (25 January), and the formal conferment ceremony is held by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March-April. These awards are not a "title" — under Article 18(1) of the Constitution, recipients cannot use them as a title before or after their name.
Bharat Ratna vs Padma Awards
Bharat Ratna
LevelHighest civilian honour
Instituted1954
AnnouncementNo fixed date — at most a few per year (customarily capped at about 3)
Order (precedence)Above the Padma Awards
Padma Vibhushan / Bhushan / Shri
LevelHonour below the Bharat Ratna, in three categories
Instituted1954 (Padma Vibhushan, Bhushan, and Shri all started together)
AnnouncementEvery year on 25 January (eve of Republic Day)
Order (precedence)Vibhushan > Bhushan > Shri
Keep in Mind
The Bharat Ratna and the Padma Awards are not considered a "title", so recipients cannot add them as a prefix/suffix to their name under Article 18(1) of the Constitution — though they can mention it on their resume/visiting card. This nuance is often asked in the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Bharat Ratna instituted?+
In 1954; it is India's highest civilian honour.
On what date are the Padma Awards announced?+
Every year on 25 January, i.e. on the eve of Republic Day.
What are the three categories of the Padma Awards?+
In order of precedence — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri; all three were instituted in 1954.
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