1. ๐ง๐ป Civilian Awards
Padma Awards
These are the highest civilian awards in India, conferred by the President of India. They are awarded in three categories:
| Award | Criteria | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in any field. | Recognizes the highest degree of service to the nation. |
| Padma Bhushan | Awarded for distinguished service of a high order. | Recognizes distinguished service in any field. |
| Padma Shri | Awarded for distinguished service in any field. | Recognizes distinguished service at a national level. |
โน๏ธ
Note: The Padma Awards are announced on Republic Day every year.
Bharat Ratna
- Criteria: The highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in any field, including art, literature, science, and public service.
- Significance: This award is given only to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the nation.
- Established: 1954.
- Notable Recipients:
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1956) โ for social justice.
- M. S. Subbulakshmi (1998) โ for music.
- Sachin Tendulkar (2014) โ for sports.
2. แฐ.แ Arts and Culture Awards
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
- Criteria: Given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi for excellence in performing arts, including music, dance, drama, and puppetry.
- Categories:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (for professionals).
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (highest honor for a lifetime of artistic achievement).
- Tagore Award (for outstanding contributions in the field of arts and culture).
- Notable Recipients:
- Birju Maharaj (Kathak).
- Rukmini Devi Arundale (Bharatanatyam).
Jnanpith Award
- Criteria: Recognizes outstanding contributions to literature in any Indian language.
- Established: 1961 by the Bharti Kala Sangam.
- Notable Recipients:
- G. Shankara Kurup (Malayalam).
- Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar (Marathi).
3. ๐ฅฝ๐งช๐ฌ Scientific and Technological Awards
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology
- Criteria: Recognizes outstanding contributions in the fields of science and technology.
- Established: 1958 by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
- Categories:
- Chemical Sciences
- Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean, and Planetary Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Mathematical Sciences
- Medical Sciences
- Physical Sciences
Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development
- Criteria: Recognizes significant contributions to the promotion of peace, disarmament, and development.
- Notable Recipients:
- Kofi Annan (UN Secretary-General).
- Nelson Mandela (for his contribution to global peace).
4. โน๐พโโ๏ธ๐๐พโโ๏ธ๐ด๐ป Sports Awards
Khel Ratna Award
- Criteria: The highest sporting honor in India, awarded annually to recognize outstanding achievements in sports.
- Established: 1991-92.
- Notable Recipients:
- Sachin Tendulkar (Cricket).
- Mary Kom (Boxing).
- Rani Rampal (Hockey).
Arjuna Award
- Criteria: Given for excellence in sports, especially for consistent performance.
- Established: 1961 by the Government of India.
- Notable Recipients:
- P. T. Usha (Athletics).
- Virat Kohli (Cricket).
Dronacharya Award
- Criteria: Awarded to coaches for excellence in sports coaching.
- Established: 1985.
- Notable Recipients:
- Pullela Gopichand (Badminton).
- Boris Becker (Tennis).
5. ๐ค๐ผ Social Service and Public Service Awards
Padma Awards for Public Service
- These awards recognize public service contributions, especially in areas such as governance, social service, rural development, etc.
Babu Jagjivan Ram Award
- Criteria: Given for outstanding contribution to social justice and empowerment of marginalized communities.
Ramon Magsaysay Award
- Criteria: The Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize, awarded for excellence in government service, public service, community leadership, and journalism.
- Notable Recipients:
- Verghese Kurien (Father of the White Revolution).
- Irom Sharmila (Human rights activism).
6. ๐ซ National and Regional Awards
National Film Awards
- Criteria: These are given to recognize excellence in cinema in India.
- Categories:
- Best Feature Film
- Best Actor/Actress
- Best Director
- Best Music Direction
- Best Cinematography
Sahitya Akademi Awards
- Criteria: Given annually by the Sahitya Akademi for outstanding works in literature in any Indian language.
- Notable Recipients:
- R. K. Narayan (English).
- Amrita Pritam (Punjabi).
Vyas Samman
- Criteria: Given for an outstanding contribution to literature in Hindi.
- Notable Recipients:
- Raghukul Tilak (for his contribution to Hindi literature).
7. โณ State-Level Awards
Each state in India also has its own awards for various fields, especially arts, culture, literature, and sports. Some of the common state awards include:
- Maharashtra Bhushan (Maharashtraโs highest honor).
- Bengalโs Rabindra Puraskar (for literature in Bengali).
- Tamil Nadu Governmentโs Kalaimamani (for excellence in Tamil arts).
Key Takeaways for Exam Preparation:
- Padma Awards (Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri) are conferred by the President of India on Republic Day and are highly prestigious for exceptional contributions in any field.
- Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India and recognizes exceptional contributions to the nation.
- Khel Ratna is the highest honor for sports, awarded annually for excellence in sports.
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is for excellence in science and technology.
- National Film Awards and Sahitya Akademi Awards are prestigious awards in the fields of cinema and literature.
โ๏ธ Important Defence Awards in India:
1. ๐ฆ Gallantry Awards (For Bravery)
| Award | Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Param Vir Chakra (PVC) | Highest wartime gallantry award for the most conspicuous bravery in combat. | Awarded for acts of exceptional valor during wartime. |
| Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) | Second-highest wartime gallantry award. | Awarded for gallantry in combat, though not as conspicuous as PVC. |
| Vir Chakra (VC) | Third-highest wartime gallantry award. | Awarded for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy during wartime. |
| Ashoka Chakra | Highest peacetime gallantry award. | Awarded for acts of bravery during peacetime. |
| Kirti Chakra | Second-highest peacetime gallantry award. | Given for bravery during non-combat situations in peacetime. |
| Shaurya Chakra | Third-highest peacetime gallantry award. | Awarded for acts of bravery in peacetime. |
2. Distinguished Service Awards
| Award | Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) | Highest award for distinguished service in the armed forces. | Conferred to senior officers for exceptional service in various capacities. |
| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) | Awarded for exceptional service of a high order. | Given to senior officers for their distinguished contributions to the military. |
| Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) | Awarded for exceptional service in the armed forces. | Conferred to officers for notable service during peace and war. |
3. Service and Operational Awards
| Award | Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Sena Medal / Nao Sena Medal / Vayu Sena Medal | Awarded for distinguished service in the Army, Navy, and Air Force respectively. | Given for meritorious service in operational or combat roles. |
| War Service Medal | Awarded for participation in wars or military operations. | Given to personnel involved in active warfare or military operations. |
4. Police and Paramilitary Awards
| Award | Criteria | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Presidentโs Police Medal for Gallantry | Given for bravery by police officers. | Conferred for acts of bravery during policing activities. |
| Police Medal for Gallantry | Awarded for gallantry during police operations. | Given to police officers for acts of courage in service. |
Key Points to Remember:
- Gallantry Awards (PVC, MVC, VC, Ashoka Chakra) are the highest honors for bravery in combat or in the line of duty.
- Distinguished Service Awards like PVSM, AVSM, and VSM recognize exceptional contributions in the armed forces.
- Service and Operational Awards like the Sena Medal and War Service Medal honor exceptional service during military operations.
- Police and Paramilitary Awards are given for valor in law enforcement and counterinsurgency operations.