Important Awards in India

Bharat Ratna

• India’s highest civilian award.
• Recognizes exceptional achievements in the fields of arts, literature, science, and public services, including sports (since 2013).
• Notable recipients include Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Sachin Tendulkar, and Mother Teresa.

Padma Vibhushan

• Second-highest civilian award in India.
• Awarded for "exceptional and distinguished service" in fields such as arts, public affairs, and science.

Padma Bhushan

• Third-highest civilian honor.
• Recognizes "distinguished service of a high order" in any field.

Padma Shri

• Fourth-highest civilian award.
• Acknowledges outstanding contributions in various fields, including the arts, literature, and social work.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

• The highest sporting honor, awarded for consistent and extraordinary performance.
• Named after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

Arjuna Award

• Recognizes outstanding performance over a sustained period.
• Recipients also receive a bronze statuette of Arjuna.

Dronacharya Award

• Honors exceptional coaches in sports who have produced medal-winning athletes.

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar

• Acknowledges organizations or individuals promoting and supporting sports development.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy

• A rolling trophy awarded to the best-performing university in inter-university tournaments.

Bharatiya Jnanpith Award

• The highest literary honor, awarded to authors for outstanding contributions to Indian literature.
• Instituted in 1961.

Sahitya Akademi Award

• Given for exceptional literary work in 24 recognized Indian languages.

Vyas Samman

• Honors notable Hindi literary work published in the last decade.

Rabindra Puraskar

• West Bengal’s highest literary award for contributions in Bengali literature.

Saraswati Samman

• Instituted by the K.K. Birla Foundation, awarded for outstanding literary work in any Indian language.

Param Vir Chakra

• India’s highest military honor, awarded for exceptional valor in the face of the enemy.

Maha Vir Chakra

• Second-highest military decoration for bravery.

Vir Chakra

• Awarded for acts of gallantry in the battlefield.

Ashoka Chakra

• India’s highest peacetime gallantry award

Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra

• Recognize courageous actions during peacetime.

International Gandhi Peace Prize

• Instituted in 1995 to honor individuals or institutions for their contributions to social, economic, and political transformation through non-violence.

Indira Gandhi Peace Prize

• Recognizes efforts in international peace, disarmament, and development.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• The highest honor in Indian cinema for lifetime achievement.

National Film Awards

• Includes categories such as Best Feature Film, Best Actor, and Best Director.
• Established in 1954, they promote regional and independent cinema.

Filmfare Awards

• A prominent private award recognizing popular cinema.

IIFA Awards

• Honors Indian cinema on an international platform.

State Film Awards

• Given by state governments to promote regional cinema.