भारत रत्न (BHARAT RATNA)

‘Bharat Ratna’, the highest civilian Award of the country, was instituted in the year 
1954. 

Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex is eligible for 
these awards. 

It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest 
order in any field of human endeavour. 

The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to 
the President. No formal recommendations for this are necessary. 

The number of annual awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year. 

On conferment of the award, the recipient receives a Sanad (certificate) signed by 
the President and a medallion. 

The Award does not carry any monetary grant. 

In terms of Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or 
suffix to the recipient's name. However, should an award winner consider it 
necessary, he/she may use the following expression in their biodata/letterhead/visiting card etc. to indicate that he/she is a recipient of the award: 

                       ‘Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President’ 
                                                            or 
                           ‘Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award’ 


LIST OF RECIPIENTS OF "BHARAT RATNA"