India's Highest Civilian Award:Bharat Ratna

Till today we have only 45 recipients of Bharat Ratna.
This is India's highest civilian and the most prestigious award but have only 45 recipients yet!!!!!

Why??
Let us see it in detail!!

Who can get this award?

• Any person without distinction of race, occupation, position or gender is 'eligible' for this award.
• It is given in recognition of exceptional service, performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.

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

• The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President.
• Recipient of this award must be exceptionally well.

What do the recipients get?

Recipients receive:

1. A certificate signed by the President,
2. A peepal leaf–shaped medallion; (no monetary grant is associated.)

Front side of medallion

Either side of medallion

History of the award:

• This award was instituted on 2nd January 1954.

• Originally limited to achievements in the arts, literature, science and public services.

• Government expanded the criteria to include "any field of human endeavour" in December 2011. 

However, an award winner may use the following expression:

        "Awarded Bharat Ratna by the 

President" 
     OR 
"Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award"

But they are  prohibited from using the award name as a title on any of their documents like visiting cards or nameplates.

 The first recipients of this award were

1. C. Rajagopalachari

1. C. V. Raman

1. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

who were honoured in 1954. 

PS: Apart from the Bharat Ratna;
Padma awards are given in 3 categories:
Padma Vibhushan,
Padma Bhushan and
Padma Shri.
(Are in order of their importance).
Thank you.