Orders, decorations, and medals of India

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Honour System in India
Bharat Ratna Award.png
Bharat Ratna (Highest civilian award in India)
TypeNational civilian
CountryFlag of India.svg  India

The Indian honours system is the system of awards given to individuals for a variety of services to the Republic of India. The categories of awards are as follows:

Contents

Civilian awards

Bharat Ratna

Bharat Ratna Ribbon.svg Bharat Ratna, [1] the highest civilian award of India, was instituted in the year 1954. Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position, gender or religion is eligible for this award. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor. On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad [2] (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

Padma awards

Padma Awards [3] were instituted in the year 1954. Except for brief interruptions during the years 1978 to 1979 and 1993 to 1997, these awards have been announced every year on Republic Day. The award is given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, in decreasing order of precedence.

Unlike national honours, the Padma awards do not include cash allowances, benefits, or special concessions in rail/air travel. [4] Per a December 1995 judgment of the Supreme Court of India, no titles or honorifics are associated with the Bharat Ratna or any of the Padma awards; honourees cannot use them or their initials as suffixes, prefixes or pre- and post-nominals attached to the awardee's name. This includes any such use on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books etc. In the case of any misuse, the awardee will forfeit the award, and he or she is cautioned against any such misuse upon receiving the honour. [5]

Selection process

These awards seek to recognize work of any distinction, and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines, such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry, etc. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.

In 2015, the government decided to end the practice of ministers recommending names for Padma awards and replaced it with any Indian citizen recommending a person for Padma awards online. The government said that this was done with the belief that every citizen has something to contribute to the nation and that contribution should be integrated with the country's growth. Accordingly, several hitherto unknown citizens were awarded Padma awards in 2017. The role of the state governments was also minimised. [6] [7] [8]

Annulment of awards

While there are no specific criteria for withdrawing a Padma award, the President of India, per the awards' statutes, may cancel and annul any award in the case of any misconduct committed by the recipient. At least three awards of the Padma Shri have been so annulled, twice in 1958 for recipients residing in the state of Punjab and once in 1974 for a recipient residing in the state of Gujarat. [9]

Military awards

Since 11 July 2019, the Indian Army allows close relatives of deceased military personnel to wear their medals on the right side of the chest while attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. [10]

Wartime gallantry awards

Established on 26 January 1950 with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.

Peacetime gallantry awards

These awards were instituted on 4 January 1952. These awards were renamed on 27 January 1967 as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra from Ashoka Chakra (Class I), Ashoka Chakra (Class II) and Ashoka Chakra (Class III) respectively.

Wartime/peacetime service awards

Wartime distinguished awards

Peacetime distinguished awards

They were established on January 26, 1960.

Other national awards

Women

Children

Science and technology awards

Medicine awards

Literature awards

Sports awards

Adventure awards

Cinema and arts

Particular awards

Police awards

Home Guard and Civil Defence awards

Fire Services awards

Correctional Services awards

Coast Guard awards

Bravery

Corporate Awards

National Corporate Social Responsibility Awards are given by the President of India. These awards have been instituted by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Awards are given in 20 different sub-categories.

Overseas Indian Awards

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Ribbon.png Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is awarded to Overseas Indians for excellence.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padma Vibhushan</span> Second highest civilian award of the Republic of India

The Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service". All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards. As of 2024, the award has been bestowed on 336 individuals, including thirty-one posthumous and twenty-one non-citizen recipients.

The Padma Bhushan is the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, preceded by the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan and followed by the Padma Shri. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "distinguished service of a high order...without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex." The award criteria include "service in any field including service rendered by Government servants" including doctors and scientists, but exclude those working with the public sector undertakings. As of 2020, the award has been bestowed on 1270 individuals, including twenty-four posthumous and ninety-seven non-citizen recipients.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Param Vir Chakra</span> Indias highest military decoration

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Param Vir Chakra translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave", and the award is granted for "most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy". As of January 2018, the medal has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous and 16 arose from actions in Indo-Pakistani conflicts. Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army and one has been from the Indian Air Force. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient. A number of state governments of India as well as ministries of the central government provide allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)</span> Indias highest peacetime military decoration

The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaurya Chakra</span> Award

The Shaurya Chakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards and comes after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. It precedes the Yudh Seva Medal.[total recipients 2094]. [total awarded posthumously is 677].

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirti Chakra</span> Award

The KirtiChakra is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards, comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra. Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ladakh Scouts</span> Infantry regiment of the Indian Army

The Ladakh Scouts is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, nicknamed as the "Snow Warriors" or "Snow Leopards". The regiment specializes in mountain warfare, and its primary role is to guard India's borders in the high altitudes of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subhash C. Kashyap</span> Indian political scientist

Subhash C. Kashyap is a former secretary-general of 7th Lok Sabha, 8th Lok Sabha and 9th Lok Sabha and Lok Sabha Secretariat from 1984 to 1990. He is also a well known political scientist, an expert in the Indian Constitution, Constitutional Law, Parliamentary Experts and a distinguished scholar. He also headed an International Centre for Parliamentary Documentation, IPU at Geneva till 1983. Kashyap was honorary constitutional advisor to the Government of India on Panchayati Raj Laws and Institutions. He is also recipient of several prestigious awards for the Best Books in Constitution, Law and Political Science. At present Dr. Kashyap is an honorary research professor at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), New Delhi. He was also a member of the National Commission to Review the Working of Constitution and chairman of its drafting and editorial committee.

Air Marshal Minoo Merwan Engineer, PVSM, MVC, DFC was a former Air Officer in the Indian Air Force. He is one of the most decorated officers in the Indian Air Force, with the second-highest civil decoration - the Padma Bhushan, two gallantry awards - the Maha Vir Chakra and the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the highest peace-time distinguished service award - the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

The Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is a civilian lifesaving award presented by the Government of India. Established on 30 September 1961, the award was originally called the Jeevan Raksha Padak, Class I.

The Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak is a civilian lifesaving award presented by the Government of India. Established on 30 September 1961, the award was originally called the Jeevan Raksha Padak, Class II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shailendra Nath Shrivastava</span> Indian politician

Dr. Shailendra Nath Shrivastava was an Indian essayist and poet, who wrote in Hindi, English and Bhojpuri. His body of work comprised over 100 publication of books like poetry, biographies, essays,Literary criticism etc. he also featured in more than 120 programs/broadcast of All India Radio / Doordarshan Patna and Delhi branch. He visited many foreign countries such as England, Scotland, Wales, France, Germany, Holland, Mauritius and Nepal. He was former Indian politician from Bihar born at Chausa, Bhojpur district. In 1980 he was elected to Bihar Legislative Assembly and in 1989, he was elected to Lok Sabha from Patna constituency of Bihar. He was a recipient of the civilian honor of Padma Shri (2003).

The President's Tatrakshak Medal or President's Coast Guard Medal is an Indian military decoration, awarded for exceptional devotion to duty or courage in Indian Coast Guard. It is conferred by the President of India every year on the occasion of national celebrations - the Independence Day and the Republic Day.

The Tatrakshak Medal or Coast Guard Medal is an Indian military decoration, awarded for conspicuous devotion to duty or courage in Indian Coast Guard. It is conferred by the President of India every year on the occasion of national celebrations - the Independence Day and the Republic Day.

References

  1. Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, Samarth Ratna Archived November 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Definition of SANADS". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  3. "Padma Awards" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-11-15. Retrieved 2014-12-26.
  4. "Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1219: Padma Awards (2015)". Lok Sabha: Government of India. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. "Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2536: Use of Title of Awards (2016)" (PDF). Lok Sabha: Government of India. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  6. "Padma Awards this time only on merit, no lobbying: Modi government" . Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  7. "Underdogs stunned to get Padma awards, as PM reforms nomination process" . Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  8. "Now, anyone can recommend a person for Padma awards online: PM Narendra Modi" . Retrieved 23 August 2017.
  9. "Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4895: Persons Awarded with Padmashree (2006)". Lok Sabha: Government of India. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  10. Indian Army allows next of kin to wear medals of late ex-servicemen during homage ceremonies, India Today, 23 July 2019.
  11. [ dead link ]