Bharat ratna-decoding India's highest civilian honour & its 2024 awardees | UPSC Polity

The Jewel of India: Understanding the Bharat Ratna and Its Evolving Legacy

Every nation possesses a unique method of honouring its most distinguished citizens—those whose contributions shape the national character and propel it forward. In the Republic of India, the pinnacle of this recognition is the Bharat Ratna, which literally translates to ‘Jewel of India’. Instituted on January 2, 1954, it is the highest civilian award bestowed for exceptional service or performance of the highest order, transcending race, occupation, position, or gender.

Originally conceived to honour extraordinary achievements in arts, literature, science, and public service, the award’s scope was broadened in December 2011 to include ‘any field of human endeavour’. The Prime Minister recommends candidates to the President, with a conventional, though not rigid, cap of three awards per year. The recipients are presented with a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a distinctive peepal-leaf shaped medallion, but notably, no monetary grant accompanies this honour.

Fun Fact: The Bharat Ratna award was briefly suspended on two occasions: first from July 1977 to January 1980 by the Janata Party government and again from August 1992 to December 1995 due to public interest litigations challenging its constitutional validity.

The 2024 Milestone: An Unprecedented Year of Honours

The year 2024 marked a significant moment in the award’s history. Breaking from the convention of conferring a maximum of three awards, the Government of India announced the Bharat Ratna for five towering personalities, the highest in a single year since 1999. This move has brought renewed focus on the award’s purpose and the legacies it seeks to immortalize.

The 2024 awardees represent a diverse spectrum of public life:

• Karpoori Thakur (Posthumous): A former Chief Minister of Bihar and a champion of social justice, known for his work in advancing the rights of backward classes.
• Lal Krishna Advani: A veteran politician and former Deputy Prime Minister, recognized for his decades-long contribution to Indian politics.
• P. V. Narasimha Rao (Posthumous): The 9th Prime Minister of India, often credited as the architect of India’s economic liberalization in the early 1990s.
• Chaudhary Charan Singh (Posthumous): The 5th Prime Minister of India and a formidable peasant leader who championed farmers’ rights.
• M. S. Swaminathan (Posthumous): A renowned geneticist and the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution’, whose work was instrumental in achieving food security for the nation.

This conferment highlights a strategic recognition of contributions across social reform, economic policy, agricultural science, and political leadership, making it a pivotal event for contemporary analysis.

Constitutional Validity: The Article 18 Debate

A recurring question in Indian polity is the constitutional status of the Bharat Ratna and other civilian awards. Article 18(1) of the Constitution states, “No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State.” This provision, aimed at establishing a society of equals by abolishing British-era hereditary titles like ‘Rai Bahadur’ or ‘Maharaja’, became the basis for legal challenges against these awards.

The definitive judicial interpretation came in the landmark 1995 case, Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India. The Supreme Court held that the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not ‘titles’ within the meaning of Article 18(1). The court clarified that these awards are ‘decorations’ that recognize merit and should not be used as prefixes or suffixes to the recipient’s name. Doing so would contravene the spirit of the Constitution, and the award could be forfeited. This judgment provides the legal foundation upon which the entire system of civilian honours rests today.

Analogy: Think of a university degree. A ‘PhD’ is an academic distinction (permitted by Article 18), which a person appends to their name. However, the Bharat Ratna is like a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ from the nation. It is a decoration to be celebrated, not a title to be worn. The Supreme Court’s verdict essentially places these awards in the latter category.

The Hierarchy of Honour: Padma Awards

Below the Bharat Ratna, the Government of India confers the Padma Awards, instituted in 1954. They are announced annually on Republic Day and recognize distinguished service in various fields.

Mnemonic for Padma Hierarchy: Remember VBS (from high to low) -> Vibhushan, Bhushan, Shri. Think of it as “Very Big Service”.

Fun Fact: Recipients of the Bharat Ratna are placed seventh in the Indian Order of Precedence, a ceremonial protocol list. This places them alongside Cabinet Ministers of the Union and Chief Ministers of States (within their respective states).

Critical Policy Appraisal

The system of national awards, while prestigious, is not without its critics. The selection process often sparks debate about politicization and transparency.

Analytical Lens: UPSC Focus (Mains & Prelims)

Conceptual Basis:

• Constitutional Article: Article 18 (Abolition of Titles) is the primary constitutional provision related to these awards. It is crucial to understand the distinction it makes between ‘titles’ and ‘distinctions’.
• Key Judicial Ruling: The Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India (1995) case is the cornerstone that legally validates these national awards while setting clear boundaries on their usage.

UPSC Integration: Connecting the Dots

• Polity (GS Paper II): Directly linked to Fundamental Rights (Article 18), the role of the President and Prime Minister, and the concept of the Order of Precedence in official protocol.
• Modern Indian History (GS Paper I): Many awardees are pivotal figures from the freedom struggle and post-independence era. Analyzing their contributions provides depth to historical understanding (e.g., C. Rajagopalachari, B.R. Ambedkar).
• Ethics (GS Paper IV): The awards raise questions about recognizing ethical conduct in public life, the principles of objectivity and transparency in governance, and the role of public recognition in fostering national values.

Future Impact & Policy Relevance: The debate surrounding national awards is set to intensify. With increasing public awareness and media scrutiny, there will be growing demand for greater transparency in the selection process. The 2024 conferment of five awards may set a new precedent, potentially making the process more politically charged. The policy challenge lies in balancing the state’s prerogative to honour its citizens with the need to maintain the award’s prestige and keep it above partisan politics. Future reforms may focus on establishing a statutory, independent committee for selection, as hinted by the Supreme Court.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question (MCQ):

Which of the following statements regarding the Bharat Ratna is/are correct?

1. The award was expanded in 2011 to include ‘any field of human endeavour’.
2. The award comes with a significant monetary grant from the Consolidated Fund of India.
3. Recipients of the Bharat Ratna are placed above the Cabinet Secretary in the Indian Order of Precedence.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 1 only b) 1 and 3 only c) 2 and 3 only d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer and Explanation: Correct Answer: (b)

• Statement 1 is correct: The criteria were expanded in December 2011.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The Bharat Ratna does not carry any monetary grant.
• Statement 3 is correct: Bharat Ratna recipients are ranked at 7A in the Order of Precedence, while the Cabinet Secretary is ranked at 11. Therefore, they are placed higher.

UPSC Mains Practice Question (15 Marks):

“While national awards like the Bharat Ratna are meant to be decorations recognizing exceptional merit, they often become subjects of political controversy, potentially diluting their prestige.” Critically analyze this statement in the context of the constitutional provisions under Article 18 and recent conferments. (250 words)

Mind Map Outline (Revision Structure)

• Indian Civilian Awards
  • Introduction to National Honours
    • Purpose: Recognition of extraordinary work.
    • Hierarchy: Bharat Ratna at the apex.
  • Bharat Ratna: The Jewel of India
    • Establishment & History
      • Instituted in 1954.
      • Original Criteria: Arts, Science, Literature, Public Service.
      • 2011 Expansion: ‘Any field of human endeavour’.
    • Key Features
      • No monetary grant.
      • Peepal-leaf shaped medallion and a Sanad.
      • Awarded by the President on PM’s recommendation.
    • Constitutional & Legal Framework
      • Article 18(1): Abolition of Titles.
      • Balaji Raghavan vs UoI (1995): Upheld awards as ‘decorations’, not ‘titles’. Prohibited use as prefix/suffix.
    • Privileges of Awardees
      • Rank 7A in the Indian Order of Precedence.
      • Entitlement to a diplomatic passport.
    • Recent Developments (2024)
      • Unprecedented conferment on five individuals.
      • Profiles of Awardees: Thakur, Advani, Rao, Singh, Swaminathan.
  • The Padma Awards
    • Hierarchy & Significance
      • Padma Vibhushan (Second Highest).
      • Padma Bhushan (Third Highest).
      • Padma Shri (Fourth Highest).
    • Selection Process
      • Announced on Republic Day.
      • Recent shift towards honouring grassroots contributors.
  • Critical Appraisal of the Awards System
    • Challenges
      • Politicization and controversies.
      • Lack of transparency.
      • Posthumous award debates.
    • Opportunities & Way Forward
      • Inspiring national service.
      • Recognizing unsung heroes.
      • Need for an independent selection committee.
  • UPSC Analytical Focus
    • Core Concepts: Article 18, Order of Precedence.
    • Inter-Topic Linkages: Polity, Modern History, Ethics.
    • Practice Questions: Prelims (MCQ) and Mains (Analytical Question).