‘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 for exceptional service towards advancement of Art, Literature and Science, and in recognition of public service of the highest order. 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.In terms of Article 18 of the Constitution, the award cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name. However, should an award winner consider it necessary, he/she may use the following expression in their bio-data/letterhead/visiting card etc. to indicate that he/she is a recipient of the award: -
‘Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President’ or ‘Recipient of Bharat Ratna award’
Bharat Ratna Medal (Front and Reverse Side)
