Important National Awards of India

Celebrating Excellence: An Insight into India's Important National Awards

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

India’s rich tapestry of talent and achievement is woven with the threads of recognition and honor bestowed upon its exceptional individuals. The realm of national awards in India stands as a testament to the nation’s reverence for excellence, spanning across diverse fields from arts and literature to sports and social service.

In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the prestigious national awards of India, each a beacon illuminating the path of greatness and celebrating the remarkable contributions of its recipients. From the highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, to the inspiring Arjuna Award for sports excellence, these accolades encapsulate the essence of India’s cultural heritage and spirit of accomplishment.

Join us on a journey of discovery as we uncover the significance, history, and impact of these important national awards, shining a spotlight on the extraordinary individuals who have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our nation.

Sl.No

Award

Details

1.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
(Started – 1991-92)

  • It is the highest sporting honour of India
  • Cash disbursement – 25 lakhs.
  • Maybe given posthumously.

2.

Arjuna Award
(Started – 1961)

  • 2nd highest sporting honour in India
  • Cash disbursement – 15 lakhs
  • Maybe given posthumously also.

3.

Dronacharya Award
(Started – 1985)

  • Honours coaches / trainers.
  • Cash disbursement, Regular – 10 lakhs, Lifetime – 15 lakhs.
  • Maybe given posthumously
  • Persons who have already received Dhyan Chand Award are not eligible

4.

Dhyanchand Award
(Started – 2002)

  • Conferred to people who contributed to not just during their career, but also after retirement.
  • Cash disbursement – 10 lakhs
  • Not more than 3 awards will be given in a calendar year.

5.

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
(Started – 2009)

  • Awarded to organisations or corporates (both private and public) and individuals for playing a role in the area of sports promotion and development

6.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy
(Started – 1956-57)

  • It is given to an institution or university for top performance in inter-university tournaments over the last one year.
  • Cash reward – 15 lakhs, 7.5 lakhs and 4.5 lakhs for first three ranks.

Gallantry Awards - Ministry of Defense

Sl.No

Award

Details

1.

Param Vir Chakra
(Started – 1950)

  • Highest wartime military award in India.
  • Awarded for national bravery in the presence of the enemy.
  • Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient.
  • Maybe given posthumously

2.

Maha Vir Chakra
(Started – 1950)

  • 2nd highest wartime military award in India
  • Lt. Colonel Dewan Ranjit Rai was the first recipient.
  • Maybe given posthumously.

3.

Vir Chakra
(Started – 1950)

  • It is the 3rd highest wartime military bravery award.
  • Lieutenant TGN Pai was the 1st recipient of the award
  • Maybe given posthumously

4.

Ashoka Chakra
(Started – 1952)

  • Highest peacetime military award in India.
  • For valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
  • May be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.
  • Narbahadur Thapa and Bachittar Singh are the first recipients of the award.

5.

Kirti Chakra
(Started – 1952)

  • 2nd highest peacetime military award
  • Present to either civilian or military personnel.
  • B.B.L. Datt was the first civilian recipient of the Kirti Chakra.

6.

Shaurya Chakra
(Started – 1952)

  • 3rd highest peacetime military award
  • Present to either civilian or military personnel.

Civilian Awards - Ministry of Home Affairs

Sl.No

Award

Details

1.

Bharat Ratna
(Started – 1954)

  • Highest civilian award in India.
  • Maximum 3 awards can be given in a calendar year.
  • Maybe given posthumously
  • Awarded in recognition of exceptional service/ performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
  • Award was briefly suspended twice in its history (1977 & 1992)

2.

Padma Awards
(started – 1954)

  1. Padma Vibhushan
  2. Padma Bhushan
  3. Padma Shri
  • Recognize exceptional achievements in various fields, including arts, literature, science, public service, and social work.
  • Award is normally not conferred posthumously (but exceptions in rare cases)
  • No monetary grant is attached to these Awards.
  • SC declared that the Award does not amount to a title.
  • 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.

Literary Awards

Sl.No

Award

Details

1.

Jnanpith Award
(Started – 1961)

  • Highest literary award bestowed upon Indian authors annually.
  • The winner gets a statue of the Goddess Saraswati.
  • First recipient of the award was G. Sankara Kurup.
  • Cash disbursement – 11 lakhs
  • Not posthumously conferred.

2.

Sahitya Akademi Award
(Started – 1955)

  • Presented by Sahitya Academy annually to Indian writers for works in any of 22 official languages plus English and Rajasthani.

3.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
(Started – 1952)

  • Honor excellence in the performing arts, including music, dance, and theatre.

4.

Lalit Kala Akademi Awards
(Started – 1954)

  • Recognize achievements in visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, and photography.

Conclusion

India’s national awards serve as a tribute to excellence, talent, and dedication across diverse fields. They celebrate the achievements of individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation’s cultural, social, and intellectual landscape. Through these awards, India honors its finest and inspires future generations to reach greater heights of success and achievement.

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