Q. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards.

(a) Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
(b) Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
(C) The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements are not correct?

  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Notes:
  • The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day. It was instituted in 1954 and is one of the highest civilian honours of India.
  • The awards are given in three categories:
    • Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service)
    • Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order)
    • Padma Shri (distinguished service)
  • Padma Vibhushan is highest in the hierarchy of Padma Awards followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
  • Article 18(1) prohibits the State to confer titles on anybody whether a citizen or a non-citizen.
  • Military and academic distinctions are, however, exempted from the prohibition. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are not titles under the Article 18(1).
    • The Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are, in fact, civilian awards given by the President of India to individuals for their exceptional service to the nation and do not fall under the purview of this article.
  • The Padma Awards were suspended during the years 1978, 1979 and 1993 to 1997.
Bharat Ratna Award Limitations
  • The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
  • There is no official limit to the number of Bharat Ratna recipients in a given year. While the practice has been to award a very small number annually, typically not exceeding three, this is not a mandated restriction.
Padma Awards
Gallantry Awards in India
  • Post-Independence, the first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra were instituted by the government of India on 26th January 1950 and were deemed to have effect from 15th August 1947.
  • Thereafter, three other gallantry awards — the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II, and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III — were instituted in 1952 and were deemed to have effect from 15th August 1947.
    • These awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January 1967.
  • Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra, and the Shaurya Chakra.
Gallantry Awards in India