National Awards

National Awards can be divided mainly into four groups (a) Civilian Awards (b) Gallantry Awards (c) Distinguished Service Awards and (d) Arjun Awards.

There are four civilian awards; the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. Bharat Ratna is the highest award in India and is given for exceptional work for the advancement or Art, Literature and Science and in recognition of public service of the highest order. It was awarded for the first time in 1954 and the recipients in 1954 were C.Rajagopalachari, S.Radhakrishnan and C.V.Raman.

The Padma Vibhushan award is given for exceptional and distinguished services in any field, including outstanding services rendered by government officials. The decoration is a cirular design; with a geometrical pattern superimposed on the circle.On one side ther is a lotus flower with the inscription Padma Vibhushan in Hindi. On the other side are the National Emblem and motto. It is of toned bronze.

The Padma Bhushan award is given for distinguished services of a high order in any field including services rendered by government personnel. It has the same design as the ‘Padma Vibhushan’. On one side the word “padma” appears above and the word “Bhushan” below the lotus flower. All embossing on either side of the decoration is in standard god.

The Padma shri award is given for distinguished services in any field including services rendered by government personnel. On one side there is a geometrical pattern. All embossing on either side is in stainless steel.

The Gallantry Awards are six in number and awarded to the personnel of the armed forces for their acts of bravery and sacrifice for the security and welfare of the nation. The Gallantry Awards are Param vir chakra, Maha vir chakra,Vir chakra, Asohka chakra, Kirti chakra and Shaurya chakra.

The Distinguished service awards are param vishist seva medal,Ati Vishisht seva medal and Vishisht seva medal. They are awarded to defense personnel in recognition of distinguished service. Param vishist seva medal is made of gold, Ati vishisht seva medal of standard silver and vishisht seva medal of bronze. All the medals are circular in shape. On the obverse of these medals there is a five point star and on the reverse the Lion Capital.

Arjuna awards are awarded for outstanding performance in the fields of sports, games and physical culture. There are no gradations in these awards.