MAJOR AWARDS AND HONOURS — CIVILIAN, LITERARY, SPORTS, CINEMA AND PUBLIC SERVICE

PRERNA FOR IAS

         Mehnat Aapki, Guidance Humari

         Roz ki Prelims Practice — Experts ke Saath

MAJOR AWARDS AND HONOURS — CIVILIAN, LITERARY, SPORTS, CINEMA AND PUBLIC SERVICE

1. Importance of Awards and Honours

• Awards recognise exceptional achievement, public service, creativity, scholarship, sports excellence and contribution to society.
• In India, some awards are conferred by the Government of India, while others are given by autonomous institutions, foundations or international organisations.
• For examinations, it is important to distinguish between civilian honours, field-specific national awards and international awards.

2. Bharat Ratna

• Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award and was instituted in 1954.
• It is awarded for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
• It is conferred by the President of India on recommendations made by the Prime Minister. (Ministry of Home Affairs)
• It does not carry a monetary grant and cannot be used as a title.

3. Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and are among India’s highest civilian honours.
• They are awarded in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
• Padma Vibhushan recognises exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri distinguished service. (Padma Awards)
• They recognise achievements in areas such as art, literature, science, medicine, public affairs, social work, sports and trade.

4. Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest honour in the field of cinema.
• It forms part of the National Film Awards system administered under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
• It recognises an individual’s outstanding lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting)

5. Jnanpith Award

• The Jnanpith Award, instituted by Bharatiya Jnanpith, is regarded as one of India’s most prestigious literary honours.
• It recognises an author’s outstanding contribution to literature.
• It covers Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution as well as English. (Jnanpith)
• It is important to note that the Jnanpith Award is not a Government of India civilian award.