National Awards in India: Each country appreciates and recognizes the efforts of its citizens likewise India also identifies and grants them different categories of rewards.
The rewards are honored on the basis of their contribution to various fields such as science, sports, social cause, the welfare of humanity, entertainment, medicine, arts, etc.
A jury presides over the name of different inscriptions based on different parameters. These awards are intended to appreciate and recognize the excellent work done by people in different fields.
The selection of the winner is made after the analysis of the achievement compared to others. The selection board is formed by educated and experienced people who occupy prestigious positions in the nation who work to decide the winners.
Here are the top National awards given to the achievers by the Government with pride on the behalf of the people of the country.
10. Sahitya Akademi Award (1954)
Sahitya Akademi Award is the highest award that is honored for people in the field of Literature every year.
The awards are given for the major 24 languages including the 22 languages mentioned in the (8th schedule) of our Constitution, and also the Sahitya Akademi considers English and Rajasthani as well.
This award was designed by Satyajit Ray an Indian filmmaker, and prior to this plaque was made with marble but because of overweight it was stopped and substituted with a National savings bond at the time of the Indo-Pak war in 1965.
This award consists of ₹1,00,000 cash prize, at the start, it was Rs. 25,000 over the period of time it increased.
Some of the recent award winners are Anees Salim, Mamang Dai, Ramachandra Guha, etc.
9. Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (1958)
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Science and Technology (SSB) is a scientific award given annually in India by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for its outstanding, applied or fundamental research in biology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, medicine, and physics.
It was started in the year 1958 with the eligibility criteria of up to 45 years, honored with a plaque and a cash price of ₹5,00,000 and in addition, they get Rs. 15,000/month till they reach the age of 65.
2/3rd of the members of the board elect the person for this award, in the case of a tie both persons will be rewarded in the same way.
Ganesh Nagaraju, Swadhin Kumar Mandal, and Madineni Venkat Ratnam are the few recent award holders.
8. Ashoka Chakra Award (1952)
Ashoka Chakra Award is given to the Military served person who has shown courageous action in the war or self-sacrifice for the nation.
It is also honored for civilians in exceptional cases who showed bravery or self-sacrifice for the nation.
This award was started in 1952, from the year 1967 the award was classified under the names Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
In Feb 1999, the Central Government decided to pay the stipend for the award holders of Rs. 1400/month along with the cash prize of ₹8,00,000.
Nazir Ahmad Wani, Jyoti Prakash Nirala, and Hangpan Dada are the recent award winners.
7. Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1969)
Dadasaheb Phalke Award has honored the field of Cinema, the people who stood in the growth and development of Cinema and have done marvelous work are been elected by a committee.
This award was started in 1969 by the Government of India, the first film to receive this award was Raja Harishchandra in the year 1913, based on a true story from our history.
This great award consists of the Swarna Kamal(Golden Lotus) Medal, an honorable shawl, and also with a cash prize of Rs.1,000,000.
Shashi Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle are the few winners who won these awards holders.
6. Arjuna Award (1961)
The Arjuna award is honored to the outstanding Sports achievers by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports who play to make our country proud.
This award was started in 1961, it contains a statue made of Bronze, a scroll, and a cash prize of Rs.5,00,000.
From the year 2001, the Games/Sports were categorized as follows:
a) Olympic/Asian/Commonwealth/World Cup/ World Championship Disciplines & Cricket.
b) Physically Challenged Sports
c) Indigenous Games
V.J. Surekha, Ankur dhama, and Sikki Reddy are the few recent award winners of India.
5. Param Vir Chakra (1947)
Param Vir Chakra is the highest honor shown to the Soldier who has sacrificed their life or to the bravery shown on the war field. It was started in the year 1947
This award dates back to the time frame of the British East India Company with the name Order of Merit later became the Indian Order of Merit, post-Independence it was renamed Param Vir Chakra.
This award comprises all Navy, Air, and Naval Defence system, the award holder or their family if he is no more gets the monthly stipend of ₹10,000 along with other benefits like 75% concession on Indian Airway travel, first-class or AC 2 tier train pass, etc. which are exempted from tax.
Captain Vikram Batra, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav are a few award winners.
4. Padma Shri (1954)
Padma Shri is the highest Civilian award honored on the great occasion of the Republic day of India. This award is considered in the fields of education, science, sports, arts, social service, etc.
This award was started in 1954, now the Indian Government also allowed the public to nominate people on the online platform.
The plaque is designed with a geometrical pattern and the material used is stainless steel, this award does not contain any monetary reward only the certificate signed by the President and the medal will be given.
Swami Vishudhananda, Hiralal Yadav, and Venkateswara Rao Yadlapalli are the few recently awarded.
3. Padma Bhushan (1954)
As we all know that the Padma awards are the highest honored award, in that Padma Bhushan is the 3rd highest award honored to Civilians who have done great work in any field.
The recommendations are received from all state and Union territory Governments along with various institutions between 1st May – 15th September.
It was started in the year 1954, it includes even Government servants but excludes Public sector undertakings and it does not contain any monetary reward.
Recently awards were distributed to Bachendri Pal, V. K. Shunglu, Hukmdev Narayan Yadav, etc.
2. Padma Vibhushan (1954)
Padma Vibhushan is the highest award in the Padma awards and it is honored to Civilians, the awards are distributed among various fields like Arts, Medicine, Sports, Social work, etc.
On the award, the Padma shape embossed is written as Padma Vibhushan, and also at the back, it is written Satyamev Jayte in Devnagri language.
As all Padma awards started in 1954 even Padma Vibhushan is also the same. Interestingly Sachin Tendulkar received this award as the youngest person to get this award for his contribution to Indian Cricket.
The few recent award winners are P. Parameswaran, Anil Manibhai Naik, Balwant Moreshwar Purandare, etc.
1. Bharat Ratna (1954)
Bharat Ratna was awarded as the highest honor shown to Civilians who have done remarkable work in their field.
The award is designed in Peepal leaf with Bronze material, as we worship the Peepal tree as a god, it is the symbol of the utmost prestigious one. The sun is embossed on the people’s leaf and Bharat Ratna is written in the Devanagari language, and at the back, the symbol of the emblem is presented.
It was started in the year 1954, and C.V. Raman was the first person to receive the award. There is no cash prize but has other benefits like first-class travel on flights and trains, eligibility for Z category protection, VVIP status, etc.
Some of the famous people who received this award were Mother Teresa, Sachin Tendulkar, Lal Bahadur Shastri, etc.
