Important National & International Awards

by | Mar 27, 2025 | Notes


๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ 1. Civilian Awards in India

๐Ÿฅ‡ Bharat Ratna

  • Established: 1954
  • Significance: India’s highest civilian award.
  • Awarded for: Exceptional service in the fields of arts, literature, science, and public services.
  • Notable Fact: Can be awarded posthumously.

๐Ÿฅˆ Padma Awards (Hierarchy from highest to lowest)

AwardCriteria
Padma VibhushanExceptional and distinguished service
Padma BhushanDistinguished service of a high order
Padma ShriDistinguished service in any field
  • Field Coverage: Art, public affairs, science, trade, medicine, literature, sports, etc.

๐Ÿช– 2. Gallantry Awards

Wartime Gallantry

AwardSignificance
Param Vir ChakraHighest military award for bravery during war
Maha Vir ChakraSecond-highest gallantry award
Vir ChakraThird in order of wartime gallantry

Peacetime Gallantry

AwardDescription
Ashoka ChakraHighest peacetime gallantry award for valor

  • Key Note: Param Vir Chakra = wartime | Ashoka Chakra = peacetime

๐Ÿ† 3. Sports Awards

AwardPurpose
Major Dhyan Chand Khel RatnaHighest sporting honor for outstanding performance
Arjuna AwardRecognizes consistent excellence in sports
Dronacharya AwardFor exceptional coaching in sports

  • Remember: Dhyan Chand = highest player award | Dronacharya = coach

๐Ÿ“š 4. Literature and Arts

AwardField
Sahitya Akademi AwardExcellence in literature (multiple languages)
Sangeet Natak Akademi AwardFor achievements in music, dance, drama
Dadasaheb Phalke AwardHighest award in Indian cinema for lifetime contribution

๐Ÿ”ฌ 5. Science and Technology

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize

  • Awarded for: Notable and original research in science and technology.
  • Significance: Considered the top scientific research award in India.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ 6. Social Work and Public Service

AwardFocus Area
Indira Gandhi PrizePeace, disarmament, and development
Ramon Magsaysay AwardOften called Asiaโ€™s Nobel Prize โ€“ for public service, community leadership, journalism, etc.

๐ŸŒ 7. Prestigious International Awards

AwardField of Recognition
Nobel PrizePeace, Literature, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Economics
Academy Awards (Oscars)Excellence in film and cinema
Pulitzer PrizeJournalism, literature, and music (U.S.)
Booker PrizeBest original novel in English
Grammy AwardsAchievements in the music industry
Fields MedalTop global honor in mathematics (awarded every 4 years, under age 40)
Right Livelihood AwardPractical solutions to global issues; Alternative Nobel
Templeton PrizeContributions to affirming lifeโ€™s spiritual dimension
Copley MedalOldest scientific award โ€“ for any branch of science
  • Note: Booker = English literature | Fields Medal = Mathematics | Templeton = Spiritual values

๐Ÿ’ก Exam Tips & Associations

  • Bharat Ratna = Indiaโ€™s highest civilian honor.
  • Param Vir Chakra vs. Ashoka Chakra โ†’ Wartime vs. Peacetime gallantry.
  • Khel Ratna > Arjuna Award > Dronacharya in terms of prestige for sportspersons.
  • Dadasaheb Phalke = Lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
  • Fields Medal โ‰  Nobel Prize (because thereโ€™s no Nobel in mathematics).
  • Ramon Magsaysay = Asian Nobel โ€” especially in public service and community leadership.