Awards and Honours of India
Overview
Awards and Honours of India is a high-scoring topic in Railway NTPC and Group D exams. It covers India's highest civilian, military, literary, film, and sports awards — their year of establishment, eligibility, frequency, and notable recipients. Questions frequently test the order of precedence, founding years, and associated ministries. Mastering this chapter can secure easy marks in the General Knowledge section.
Typed Notes
Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards
Bharat Ratna, instituted on 2 January 1954, is India's highest civilian honour. It is awarded for exceptional service of the highest order to the nation. There is no restriction on field — art, literature, science, public service, or sport. Maximum 3 awards can be given in a year. Padma Vibhushan (2nd highest), Padma Bhushan (3rd), and Padma Shri (4th) form the Padma series, also instituted in 1954. These are announced on 26 January and presented by the President. Sachin Tendulkar (2014) was the first sportsperson to receive Bharat Ratna.
Military Gallantry Awards
India's military gallantry awards are divided into wartime and peacetime categories. Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest wartime gallantry award, instituted on 26 January 1950. Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra follow in wartime precedence. For peacetime, Ashoka Chakra is the highest, followed by Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. These awards are presented by the President of India. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of Param Vir Chakra (posthumously, 1947 Battle of Badgam). The PVC medal features the Vajra (thunderbolt) of Indra.
Sports, Film, and Literary Awards
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, renamed 2021) is India's highest sports honour, given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Arjuna Award recognises outstanding sports performance over 4 years. Dronacharya Award honours sports coaches. Dadasaheb Phalke Award, given since 1969, is the highest film honour — named after the father of Indian cinema. Sahitya Akademi Award covers 24 languages; Jnanpith Award (given since 1965) is the highest literary award in India, given by Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust for Indian language literature.
Other Important National Awards
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (since 1958) is the highest science award in India, given by CSIR for scientists under 45. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development is awarded annually. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award honours performing arts (music, dance, drama). Lalit Kala Akademi Award is for visual arts. The National Bravery Award is given to children by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) since 1957. The Param Vishisht Seva Medal is the highest non-combat military service award. All national awards are presented by the President of India.
Key Concepts
Revision ke liye ek nazar — exam se pehle yahi padhna hai.
- 01Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, instituted in 1954; it can be awarded posthumously and has no field restriction since 1954.
- 02Padma Awards — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri — are announced on Republic Day (26 January) every year.
- 03Param Vir Chakra is India's highest wartime gallantry award; Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.
- 04Sahitya Akademi Award is given by the Sahitya Akademi (founded 1954) for outstanding literary works in 24 Indian languages.
- 05Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honour in Indian cinema, given by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at the National Film Awards.
Questions & Solutions
Pehle khud try karo — phir solution kholo. Yahi tariqa topper banata hai.
Which is the highest civilian award of India and when was it instituted?
What is the difference between Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra?
What is the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and who gives it?
Which award is the highest literary award in India and who gives it?
What is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award and what was its previous name?
India's awards span civilian (Bharat Ratna, Padma series), military (Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra), sports (Khel Ratna, Arjuna), film (Dadasaheb Phalke), and literary (Jnanpith, Sahitya Akademi) categories. Most were instituted in 1954. The President of India presents all national awards. Remembering founding years, order of precedence, and first/notable recipients is key for Railway exams.
Chapter-end quiz
4 MCQsOption tap karo — turant pata chalega sahi ya galat, explanation ke saath.
Q1.Which of the following is India's highest peacetime gallantry award?
Q2.The Dadasaheb Phalke Award has been given since which year?
Q3.Who was the first sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna?
Q4.The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is awarded by which organisation?
Mark karo — dashboard par progress dikhega.