The Bharat Ratna
India's highest civilian award, recommended by the Prime Minister to the President.
What the paper can ask
- Three people received it in its first year.
- Awards may be made posthumously, and many have been. (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Two non-citizens have received it; Mother Teresa, who got it in 1980, was a naturalised Indian citizen.
- The youngest recipient was 40 when honoured; 2024 awardees were Karpoori Thakur, L. K. Advani, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh and M. S. Swaminathan.
- The medallion is toned bronze with a sunburst and 'Bharat Ratna' in Devanagari on the front and the state emblem on the back.
Latest
53 recipients as of February 2026, 18 of them posthumous; posthumous awards began in 1966.
Why exams ask
The first recipients, non-citizen recipients, the youngest and the latest batch are asked every year.
The full story
The Bharat Ratna ('Jewel of India') is the country's highest civilian honour, instituted early in the republic's life. It is given for exceptional service in any field of human endeavour (originally only arts, literature, science and public service). The Prime Minister recommends names to the President. Winners get a leaf-shaped medallion and a certificate but no money, and rank seventh in the order of precedence.
Test yourself
1.Ustad Bismillah Khan, awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, was a maestro of which instrument?
Correct. Bismillah Khan (1916-2006) popularised the shehnai and played at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947.
Not quite. Bismillah Khan (1916-2006) popularised the shehnai and played at the Red Fort on 15 August 1947. It goes into your error book.
2.Which scientist was among the first three recipients of the Bharat Ratna in 1954?
Correct. The 1954 Bharat Ratnas went to C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan and C. V. Raman.
Not quite. The 1954 Bharat Ratnas went to C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan and C. V. Raman. It goes into your error book.
3.The Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was instituted in:
Correct. Bharat Ratna and the Padma awards were instituted in January 1954; the first recipients that year were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan and C. V. Raman.
Not quite. Bharat Ratna and the Padma awards were instituted in January 1954; the first recipients that year were C. Rajagopalachari, S. Radhakrishnan and C. V. Raman. It goes into your error book.