BHARAT RATNA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov. Policies & Interventions)

Context: Recently, the President of India honored Bharatiya Janata Party veteran Lal Krishna Advani with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, at Advani's residence in Delhi.

• Earlier, she also honoured this to Karpoori Thakur, Mankombu Sambasivan (MS) Swaminathan, Pamulaparthi Venkata (P. V.) Narasimha Rao, and Chaudhary Charan Singh. 

Bharat Ratna

• About: The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was instituted in 1954.
• Eligibility Criteria:

oAny individual, irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender, is eligible for the award.

oIt is conferred in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. 

• Recognition for Exceptional Service: The award is granted in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor.
• Recommendations: Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made directly by the Prime Minister to the President, and no formal recommendations are necessary.
• Annual Award Limit: The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
• Conferment Process: On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
• Monetary Grant: The award does not carry any monetary grant.
• Usage Restrictions: In accordance with Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient's name.
• Awardees 2024: L. K. Advani, Chaudhary Charan Singh, PV Narasimha Rao, Karpoori Thakur and agronomist MS Swaminathan.