Important Awards & Honours in India

1. Bharat Ratna:
Established : 2 January 1954
It is the highest civilian award of India.
First three recipients were C. Rajagopalachari,Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Dr. C.V. Raman in
1954 .
First Indian Woman to get Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi.
First foreign recipient of Bharat Ratna Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan.

2. Padma Vibhushan:
Established: 2 January 1954
Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award
Awarded by Government of India.
The award is given for exceptional and distinguished services in any field including
Government service rendered by government Servants.

3. Padma Bhushan:
Established : 2 January 1954
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award of India.
Awarded by Government of India.
The award is given for distinguished services of a high order in any field including
Government service rendered by government Servants.

4. Padma Shri:
Established : 2 January 1954
Awarded by Government of India.
The Padma Shri is the fourth highest honour after the Bharat Ratna civilian award.
The award is given for distinguished services of a high order in any field including
Government service rendered by government Servants.

5. Dadasaheb Phalke Award:

Established: 1969
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in Films /cinema.
First winner : Devika Rani

6. Jnanpith Award:
Established : 1961.
It is an annual award given for outstanding contribution towards literature.
First Indian to get Jnanpith Award G. Shankar Kurup.
First Woman to get Jnanpith Award Ashapurna Devi.

7. Saraswati Samman:
Established : 1991 by the K. K. Birla Foundation.
It consists of Rs 15 lakh, a citation and a plaque.
It is an annual award given for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any 22 Indian
languages.
First recipient : Harivansh Rai Bachchan

8. Ashok Chakra:
Established : 1952
It is the highest peace-time gallantry award. The Naik Narbahadur Thapa(Gorkha Rifles) was
the first recipient of Ashok Chakra.Lt. Suhas Biswas was the first Indian Air Force officer to
be awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
First Woman to get Ashok Chakra : Nirja Bhanot

9. Arjuna Award:
Established : 1961
It carries a cash prize of ₹ 500,000, a bronze statue of Arjuna and a scroll
The Arjuna Awards are given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of
India to recognize outstanding achievement in sports.

10. Dronacharya Award:

Instituted in 1985
The award comprises a bronze statuette of Dronacharya, a certificate, ceremonial dress, and
a cash prize of ₹5 lakh.
It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
These are given to sports coaches.