Who is eligible to receive the Bharat Ratna Award?

The Bharat Ratna can be awarded to any citizen of India, regardless of occupation, race, or gender.

When was the Bharat Ratna Award first instituted?

The Bharat Ratna was instituted on January 2, 1954.

Bharat Ratna Award Winners from 1954 to 2023

Q: What is the Bharat Ratna Award?

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, presented to individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields and have brought great pride to the nation.

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Bharat Ratna Award Winners: The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, bestowed upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields. Since its inception in 1954, the Bharat Ratna has been awarded to distinguished personalities who have left an indelible mark on the nation. From renowned scientists and artists to social activists and political leaders, the recipients of the Bharat Ratna represent the diverse talent and achievements of India. This article provides an insightful glimpse into the illustrious list of Bharat Ratna award winners from 1954 to 2023, honoring their extraordinary contributions to the nation’s progress and development.

What is Bharat Ratna?

Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, conferred upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions to various fields and brought immense pride to the nation. The term “Bharat Ratna” translates to “Jewel of India” in Hindi, emphasizing the significance and prestige associated with the award.

Established on 2nd January 1954, the Bharat Ratna is awarded by the President of India. The award recognizes individuals who have excelled in fields such as art, literature, science, social service, public affairs, and sports. It serves as a symbol of national recognition and gratitude for their extraordinary achievements and contributions.

Over the years, the Bharat Ratna has been presented to eminent personalities from diverse backgrounds. Recipients include scientists, artists, writers, musicians, social activists, politicians, and sports icons who have made remarkable contributions in their respective domains. The award is a testament to their exceptional talent, dedication, and impact on the nation’s growth and development.

Being awarded the Bharat Ratna is a matter of great prestige and honor. It not only acknowledges the recipient’s exceptional accomplishments but also serves as an inspiration for future generations to strive for excellence and contribute to the betterment of society and the nation.

The Bharat Ratna is accompanied by a certificate of honor and a medallion. The award holds immense significance and is considered a crowning achievement in an individual’s career, representing the highest recognition and appreciation by the Indian government for their outstanding contributions to the nation.

List of Bharat Ratna Award Winners

The Bharat Ratna Award, India’s highest civilian honor, has been bestowed upon numerous distinguished individuals since its inception in 1954. The prestigious list of Bharat Ratna recipients includes luminaries from various fields who have made exceptional contributions to society. From renowned scientists and visionary leaders to exceptional artists and social reformers, the award has recognized their remarkable achievements and their profound impact on the nation. Each name on the list represents a story of excellence, dedication, and a significant contribution to the progress and enrichment of India. The list of Bharat Ratna award winners stands as a testament to India’s rich talent and the nation’s gratitude for their outstanding service.

Year	Winner	Profession
1954	C. Rajagopalachari	Activist, statesman, & lawyer
	Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan	India’s first Vice-President & second President
	C. V. Raman	Physicists, mathematicians, & scientists
1955	Bhagwan Das	Activist, philosopher, & educationist
	M. Visvesvaraya	Civil engineer, statesman, & Diwan of Mysore
	Jawaharlal Nehru	Activist, author, first Prime Minister of India
1957	Govind Ballabh Pant	Activist & first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
1958	Dhondo Keshav Karve	Social reformer & educator
1961	Bidhan Chandra Roy	Physician, political leader, philanthropist, educationist, & social worker
1961	Purushottam Das Tandon	Activist & speaker of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly
1962	Rajendra Prasad	Activist, lawyer, statesman, & scholar
1963	Zakir Husain	Activist, economist, Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and the Governor of Bihar
1963	Pandurang Vaman Kane	Indologist & Sanskrit scholar
1966	Lal Bahadur Shastri	Activist & second Prime Minister of India
1971	Indira Gandhi	First women Prime Minister of India
1975	V. V. Giri	Trade Unionist
1976	K. Kamaraj	Independence activist & statesman, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
1980	Mother Teresa	Catholic nun & the founder of the Missionaries of Charity.
1983	Vinoba Bhave	Activist, social reformer
1987	Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan	First noncitizen, independence activist
1988	M. G. Ramachandran	Politician, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
1990	B.R. Ambedkar	Social reformer & leader of the Dalits
1990	Nelson Mandela	Leader of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, President of South Africa
1991	Rajiv Gandhi	Ninth Prime Minister of India
	Vallabhbhai Patel	Activist, & first Deputy Prime Minister of India
	Morarji Desai	Activist, & Prime Minister of India
1992	Abul Kalam Azad	Activist & first Minister of education
	J. R. D. Tata	Industrialist, philanthropist, and aviation pioneer
	Satyajit Ray	Director, filmmaker, writer, novelist
1997	Gulzarilal Nanda	Activist, & interim Prime Minister of India.
	Aruna Asaf Ali	Activist
	A.P.J Abdul Kalam	Aerospace & defence scientist
1998	M. S. Subbulakshmi	Carnatic classical vocalist
1998	Chidambaram Subramaniam	Activist & former Minister of Agriculture of India
1999	Jayaprakash Narayan	Activist, and social reformer
	Amartya Sen	Economist
	Gopinath Bordoloi	Activist
	Ravi Shankar	Musician, sitar player
2001	Lata Mangeshkar	Singer
2001	Bismillah Khan	Hindustani classical shehnai player
2009	Bhimsen Joshi	Hindustani classical vocalist
2014	C. N. R. Rao	Chemist and professor, author
2014	Sachin Tendulkar	Cricketer
2015	Madan Mohan Malaviya	Scholar and educational reformer.
2015	Atal Bihari Bajpayee	Elected nine times to the Lok Sabha, twice to the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister of India for three terms.
2019	Pranab Mukherjee	Indian politician, and senior leader in the Indian National Congress.
	Nanaji Deshmukh	A social activist from India, education, health, and rural self-reliance.
	Bhupen Hazarika	Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet, and filmmaker from Assam.

Bharat Ratna Awardees

The Bharat Ratna Award has recognized the extraordinary achievements and contributions of individuals across diverse fields, reflecting the nation’s appreciation for their exceptional talent and service. From pioneers in science and technology to eminent social reformers, artists, and visionary leaders, each Bharat Ratna recipient has left an indelible mark on the nation’s history and progress. The list of winners represents a diverse tapestry of talent, united by their dedication to excellence and their significant impact on society. As we reflect on the remarkable individuals who have received this prestigious honor, we are reminded of the power of human potential and the immense contributions that individuals can make towards the betterment of our nation and the world.

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