The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India, given for exceptional service in any field of human endeavour. Instituted in 1954, it is not limited to Indian citizens and can be awarded posthumously. Here are the facts and names that appear in exams.
Key facts about the award
- Instituted: 1954.
- First recipients (1954): C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr. C. V. Raman.
- First woman recipient: Indira Gandhi (1971).
- First sportsperson and youngest recipient: Sachin Tendulkar (2014).
- Non-Indian recipients: Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1987) and Nelson Mandela (1990).
- Naturalised citizen recipient: Mother Teresa (1980).
- The award does not carry a cash grant; recipients receive a Sanad (certificate) and a peepal-leaf-shaped medallion.
Recent awardees (2024)
In 2024, the Bharat Ratna was conferred on five eminent figures, four of them posthumously:
| Recipient | Field |
|---|---|
| Karpoori Thakur (posthumous) | Social justice / former Bihar CM |
| L. K. Advani | Politics / statesmanship |
| P. V. Narasimha Rao (posthumous) | Former Prime Minister |
| Chaudhary Charan Singh (posthumous) | Former Prime Minister / farmers’ leader |
| M. S. Swaminathan (posthumous) | Agricultural science (Green Revolution) |
How it is asked
Expect “firsts” (first woman, first sportsperson, first recipients), the two non-Indian recipients, and the most recent batch. Awards are updated year to year, so always cross-check the latest recipients against an official source before an exam. Pair this with the order of precedence of civilian awards: Bharat Ratna, then Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the first recipients of the Bharat Ratna?
In 1954 the first Bharat Ratna awards went to C. Rajagopalachari, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr. C. V. Raman.
Who was the first sportsperson to receive the Bharat Ratna?
Sachin Tendulkar, honoured in 2014, was the first sportsperson and the youngest person to receive the award.
Can the Bharat Ratna be given to non-Indians?
Yes. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Nelson Mandela both received it, and Mother Teresa received it as a naturalised Indian citizen.