Indian honours system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Indian honours system

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Indian Honour System is primarily recognized by India Government. The Indian honour system is
broadly classified in four types - Leadership, Literature, Civilian, Patriotic, and Particular.

Contents
1 Leadership awards
2 Literature awards
3 Civilian awards
3.1 Bharat Ratna
3.2 Padma awards
4 Patriotic Awards
4.1 Wartime gallantry awards
4.2 Peacetime gallantry awards
4.3 Wartime/Peacetime service and gallantry awards
4.4 Wartime Distinguished Service
4.5 Peacetime Distinguished Service
5 Particular awards
5.1 National sports awards
5.2 Police awards
5.3 Bravery awards
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

Leadership awards
Gandhi Peace Prize
Indira Gandhi Prize

Literature awards

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Sahitya Akademi Award

Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
Bhasha Samman
Translation Awards
Anand Coomarswamy Fellowships
Premchand Fellowship
Jnanpith Award

Civilian awards
Bharat Ratna
The Bharat Ratna [1] 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.

Padma awards
Padma Awards[2]
Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954. Except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1977
and 1980 and 1993 to 1997, these awards have been announced every year on Republic day.
The award is given in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service.
Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order.
Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service'.
The award seeks to recognise work of any distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional
achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines, such as Art, Literature and Education, Sports,
Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc.
All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.

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The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the
Government could consider giving an award posthumously if the demise of the person proposed to be
honoured has been recent, say within a period of one year preceding the Republic Day on which it is
proposed to announce the award.
A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five
years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a
relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
It is the usual practice is to invite recommendations every year from all State/UT Governments,
Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees and
Institutes of Excellence by 1 October. Recommendations received from them and also from other
sources like Ministers, Chief Ministers/Governors of State, Members of Parliament, as also private
individuals, bodies etc., are placed before the Padma Awards Committee. The Awards Committee is
constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The recommendations made by the Awards Committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the
President for their approval. No award is conferred except on the recommendation of the Awards
Committee.
The names of the award winners are published in the Gazette of India. The President may cancel and
annul the award of the decoration to any person.
The Awards are announced on 26 January every year and are presented by the President of India in an
Awards presentation Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony is generally held in the
month of March/April.
The decoration comprises a Sanad (Certificate) issued under the hand and seal of the President and a
Medallion. A commemorative brochure giving out brief details in respect of each award winner is also
released on the day of the investiture ceremony.
The recipients are also given a replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any
ceremonial/State functions etc., if they so desire.
The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the award winners
name on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books etc. In the case of any misuse, the defaulter will
forfeit the award.
No cash allowance or any facility/benefit in terms of concession etc. in rail/air travel is attached to
these awards.
Padma Vibhushan Second degree honour.
Padma Bhushan Third degree honour.
Padma Shri Fourth degree honour.

Patriotic Awards

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Wartime gallantry awards

Param Vir Chakra Highest military award for valour, equivalent to the Victoria Cross (which
was replaced once India gained its independence).
Maha Vir Chakra- The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest military decoration in India
and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at
sea or in the air.
Vir Chakra-It is third in precedence in the war time gallantry

Peacetime gallantry awards

Ashok Chakra Award- an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or
self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra.
Kirti Chakra-It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.
Shaurya Chakra-It happens to be third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.

Wartime/Peacetime service and gallantry awards

Sena Medal
Nao Sena Medal
Vayusena Medal

Wartime Distinguished Service

Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal
Yudh Seva Medal

Peacetime Distinguished Service

Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vishisht Seva Medal

Particular awards
National sports awards

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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna - Indias highest honour given for achievement in sports.
Arjuna Award - Recognises outstanding achievement in National sports.
Dronacharya award- an award presented by the government of India for excellence in sports
coaching.
Dhyan Chand Award - India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games. The
award is named after the legendary Indian hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.

Police awards
President's Police Medal for Gallantry
President's Fire Services Medal for Gallantry
President's Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry
President's Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry
Police Medal for Gallantry
Fire Services Medal for Gallantry
Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry
Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry
President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service
President's Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service
President's Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service
President's Home Guards and Civil Defence for Distinguished Service
Police Medal for Meritorious Service
Fire Services Medal for Meritorious Service
Correction Service Medal for Meritorious Service
Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service

Bravery awards
National Bravery Award
Bharat Award
Sanjay Chopra Award
Geeta Chopra Award

See also

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Indian military decorations

Rashtrapati Award
British Raj honours system

References
1. ^ Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (Award Scheme) (http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/Scheme-BR.pdf)
2. ^ Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India (Award Scheme) (http://www.mha.nic.in/pdfs/SchemePDAWD.pdf)

External links
Current orders, decorations and medals of India (http://www.medals.org.uk/india/india-text.htm)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Indian_honours_system&oldid=624862676"
Categories: Orders, decorations, and medals of India Honours systems
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