- By Vivek Raj
- Sat, 17 Feb 2024 08:33 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Bharat Ratna Award Winners List: The Bharat Ratna, also known as the Jewel of India, stands as the highest civilian honor bestowed by the Republic of India. Instituted on January 2, 1954, the award recognises individuals for their exceptional service or performance of the highest caliber, irrespective of race, occupation, position, or gender. Initially, the award was reserved for achievements in the realms of arts, literature, science, and public services. However, in December 2011, the Government of India broadened the criteria to encompass excellence in "any field of human endeavor." Recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are forwarded by the Prime Minister to the President for final approval. Here’s the list of Bharat Ratna Award Winners so far.
List Of Bharat Ratna Award Winners (From 1954-2024):
C. Rajagopalachari (1878-1972)
Year of Award: 1954
State: Tamil Nadu
C. Rajagopalachari was an independence activist who served as the last Governor-General of India. He was also the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and a prominent leader in Indian politics.
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975)
Year of Award: 1954
State: Tamil Nadu
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was a philosopher and statesman who served as the first Vice-President and second President of India. He was a celebrated academic and influential figure in Indian education.
C. V. Raman (1888-1970)
Year of Award: 1954
State: Tamil Nadu
C. V. Raman was a physicist renowned for his discovery of the Raman effect, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. He made significant contributions to the field of light scattering.
Bhagwan Das (1869-1958)
Year of Award: 1955
State: Uttar Pradesh
Bhagwan Das was an independence activist, theosophist, and educator. He played a crucial role in the establishment of educational institutions and was dedicated to social reform.
M. Visvesvaraya (1861-1962)
Year of Award: 1955
State: Karnataka
M. Visvesvaraya was a renowned civil engineer and statesman. He served as the Diwan of Mysore and made significant contributions to India's infrastructure and engineering sector.
Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964)
Year of Award: 1955
State: Uttar Pradesh
Jawaharlal Nehru was an eminent leader of the Indian independence movement and the first Prime Minister of India. He played a pivotal role in shaping India's modern history and policies.
Govind Ballabh Pant (1887-1961)
Year of Award: 1957
State: Uttar Pradesh
Govind Ballabh Pant was a prominent freedom fighter and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He made significant contributions to India's governance and development.
Dhondo Keshav Karve (1858-1962)
Year of Award: 1958
State: Maharashtra
Dhondo Keshav Karve was a social reformer and educator known for his advocacy of women's rights and education. He played a crucial role in promoting social reforms and gender equality.
Bidhan Chandra Roy (1882-1962)
Year of Award: 1961
State: West Bengal
Bidhan Chandra Roy was a distinguished physician, politician, and philanthropist. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal and made significant contributions to public health and governance.
Purushottam Das Tandon (1882-1962)
Year of Award: 1961
State: Uttar Pradesh
Purushottam Das Tandon was a prominent freedom fighter and political leader known for his advocacy of the Hindi language and culture.
Rajendra Prasad (1884-1963)
Year of Award: 1962
State: Bihar
Rajendra Prasad was a leading figure in India's struggle for independence and the first President of India.
Zakir Husain ( 1897-1969)
Year of Award: 1963
State: Telangana
Zakir Husain was an eminent philosopher, educationist, and politician. He served as the President of India and made significant contributions to the fields of education and public service.
Pandurang Vaman Kane ( 1880-1972)
Year of Award: 1963
State: Maharashtra
Pandurang Vaman Kane was a distinguished Indologist and Sanskrit scholar known for his seminal work on ancient Indian religious and civil laws.
Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904-1966)
Year of Award: 1966
State: Uttar Pradesh
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a revered leader of the Indian independence movement and the second Prime Minister of India. He is remembered for his integrity, humility, and commitment to public service.
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984)
Year of Award: 1971
State: Uttar Pradesh
Indira Gandhi was a prominent political leader and the first female Prime Minister of India.
V. V. Giri (1894-1980)
Year of Award: 1975
State: Odisha
V. V. Giri was a distinguished freedom fighter and politician who served as the President of India. He made significant contributions to labor movements and social justice in India.
K. Kamaraj (1903-1975)
Year of Award: 1976
State: Tamil Nadu
K. Kamaraj was a revered political leader known for his contributions to education and social welfare. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and played a pivotal role in Indian politics.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
Year of Award: 1980
State/Country: West Bengal (born in Skopje, North Macedonia)
Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun and humanitarian known for her selfless service to the poor and marginalised. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, dedicated to serving the needy, and received the Nobel Peace Prize for her humanitarian work.
Vinoba Bhave (1895-1982)
Year of Award: 1983
State: Maharashtra
Vinoba Bhave was a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer known for his Bhoodan movement, advocating for land reform and social equality. He was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and dedicated his life to nonviolent activism.
Abdul Ghaffar Khan (1890-1988)
Year of Award: 1987
Country: Pakistan
Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as the "Frontier Gandhi," was a prominent independence activist and advocate for Hindu-Muslim unity. He founded the Khudai Khidmatgar ("Red Shirt") movement and played a significant role in India's struggle for independence.
M. G. Ramachandran (1917-1987)
Year of Award: 1988
State: Tamil Nadu
M. G. Ramachandran was a celebrated actor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He founded the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and was known for his populist policies.
B. R. Ambedkar (1891-1956)
Year of Award: 1990
State: Maharashtra
B. R. Ambedkar was a prominent social reformer, jurist, and Dalit leader known for his role in drafting the Indian Constitution. He campaigned against social discrimination and caste-based oppression, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities.
Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Year of Award: 1990
Country: South Africa
Nelson Mandela was a global icon of peace and justice, leading the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa. He served as the country's first black President and worked tirelessly for reconciliation and equality.
Rajiv Gandhi (1944-1991)
Year of Award: 1991
State: Uttar Pradesh
Rajiv Gandhi was a former Prime Minister of India known for his efforts to modernize the country's economy and technology sector. He was tragically assassinated in 1991.
Vallabhbhai Patel (1875-1950)
Year of Award: 1991
State: Gujarat
Vallabhbhai Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India," was a key figure in India's struggle for independence and the integration of princely states. He served as India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Morarji Desai (1896-1995)
Year of Award: 1991
State: Gujarat
Morarji Desai was an independence activist and politician who served as the fourth Prime Minister of India. He was known for his integrity and commitment to democratic values.
Abul Kalam Azad (1888-1958)
Year of Award: 1992
State: West Bengal
Abul Kalam Azad was a prominent freedom fighter, scholar, and the first Minister of Education in independent India. He made significant contributions to the fields of education and literature.
J. R. D. Tata (1904-1993)
Year of Award: 1992
State: Maharashtra
J. R. D. Tata was an eminent industrialist and philanthropist known for his contributions to the Indian business sector and social welfare initiatives.
Satyajit Ray (1921-1992)
Year of Award: 1992
State: West Bengal
Satyajit Ray was a legendary filmmaker known for his masterpieces in Indian cinema. He was a pioneer of the Indian New Wave cinema and received international acclaim for his works.
Gulzarilal Nanda (1898-1998)
Year of Award: 1997
State: Punjab
Gulzarilal Nanda was an eminent economist, politician, and former Prime Minister of India. He played a key role in shaping India's economic policies and governance.
Aruna Asaf Ali (1909-1996)
Year of Award: 1997
State: West Bengal
Aruna Asaf Ali was a prominent freedom fighter known for her participation in the Quit India Movement. She later became the first Mayor of Delhi and continued her social and political activism.
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015)
Year of Award: 1997
State: Tamil Nadu
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was a distinguished scientist and the 11th President of India. He played a crucial role in India's missile program and was known as the 'People's President' for his humility and dedication.
M. S. Subbulakshmi (1916-2004)
Year of Award: 1998
State: Tamil Nadu
M. S. Subbulakshmi was a legendary Carnatic classical vocalist and the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award. She enriched Indian classical music with her soulful renditions and was the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna.
C. Subramaniam (1910-2000)
Year of Award: 1998
State: Tamil Nadu
C. Subramaniam was an eminent politician and freedom fighter known for his contributions to agriculture and defense. He played a key role in India's Green Revolution.
Jayaprakash Narayan (1902-1979)
Year of Award: 1999
State: Bihar
Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as JP, was a prominent social reformer and political leader. He led the Total Revolution movement against corruption and authoritarianism.
Amartya Sen
Year of Award: 1999
State: West Bengal
Amartya Sen is a renowned economist and Nobel laureate known for his contributions to welfare economics and social choice theory. He has been a leading voice in global development and poverty alleviation.
Gopinath Bordoloi (1890-1950)
Year of Award: 1999
State: Assam
Gopinath Bordoloi was a prominent freedom fighter and the first Chief Minister of Assam. He played a crucial role in integrating Assam into the Indian Union and championed the rights of the people.
Ravi Shankar (1920-2012)
Year of Award: 1999
State: Uttar Pradesh
Ravi Shankar was a celebrated musician and sitar virtuoso known for his contributions to Indian classical music. He popularised Indian music worldwide and received numerous accolades for his artistry.
Lata Mangeshkar (1929-2022)
Year of Award: 2001
State: Maharashtra
Lata Mangeshkar was an iconic playback singer known as the "Nightingale of India." She mesmerized audiences with her melodious voice and contributed immensely to Indian cinema and music.
Bismillah Khan (1916-2006)
Year of Award: 2001
State: Bihar
Bismillah Khan was a legendary shehnai player and Hindustani classical musician. He popularised the shehnai and enriched Indian classical music with his mesmerizing performances.
Bhimsen Joshi (1922-2011)
Year of Award: 2009
State: Karnataka
Bhimsen Joshi was a legendary Hindustani classical vocalist belonging to the Kirana gharana. His powerful and emotive renditions captivated audiences and earned him acclaim as one of the greatest vocalists of his time.
C. N. R. Rao
Year of Award: 2014
State: Karnataka
C. N. R. Rao is a distinguished chemist and scientist known for his pioneering contributions to solid-state and structural chemistry. He has received numerous awards and honors for his outstanding research work.
Sachin Tendulkar (1st Bharat Ratna award winner from Sports)
Year of Award: 2014
State: Maharashtra
Sachin Tendulkar is a cricketing legend often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the sport. He holds numerous records in international cricket and has inspired millions with his talent and sportsmanship. Sachin Tendulkar is the first Bharat Ratna award winner from Sports.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924-2018)
Year of Award: 2015
State: Madhya Pradesh
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a distinguished statesman and the former Prime Minister of India. He was known for his oratory skills, statesmanship, and efforts to promote peace and development.
Madan Mohan Malaviya (1861-1946)
Year of Award: 2015
State: Uttar Pradesh
Madan Mohan Malaviya was a renowned educationist, social reformer, and freedom fighter. He founded the Banaras Hindu University and played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence.
Pranab Mukherjee (1935-2020)
Year of Award: 2019
State: West Bengal
Pranab Mukherjee was a veteran politician and statesman who served as the President of India. He made significant contributions to Indian politics and governance during his extensive career.
Bhupen Hazarika (1926-2011)
Year of Award: 2019
State: Assam
Bhupen Hazarika was a multifaceted artist known for his contributions to music, literature, and cinema. He used his art to promote social consciousness and cultural heritage.
Nanaji Deshmukh (1916-2010)
Year of Award: 2019
State: Maharashtra
Nanaji Deshmukh was a social activist and politician dedicated to rural development and social service. He played a significant role in empowering rural communities and fostering self-reliance.
Bharat Ratna Award recipients in 2024:
Karpoori Thakur (1924-1988)
Year of Award: 2024
State: Bihar
Karpoori Thakur was a prominent political leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar. He championed the cause of social justice and implemented progressive policies during his tenure.
L. K. Advani
Year of Award: 2024
State: Delhi
L. K. Advani is a veteran politician and former Deputy Prime Minister of India. He is known for his leadership in the Bharatiya Janata Party.
P. V. Narasimha Rao (1921-2004)
Year of Award: 2024
State: Telangana
P. V. Narasimha Rao was a distinguished statesman and the ninth Prime Minister of India. He initiated economic reforms that transformed India's economy and laid the foundation for its growth and development.
Charan Singh (1902-1987)
Year of Award: 2024
State: Uttar Pradesh
Charan Singh was a prominent leader and former Prime Minister of India known for his advocacy of peasant rights and agricultural reforms. He played a significant role in championing the cause of farmers and rural communities.
M. S. Swaminathan (1925-2023)
Year of Award: 2024
State: Tamil Nadu
M. S. Swaminathan was a renowned agricultural scientist and a leading figure in India's Green Revolution. He made significant contributions to agricultural research and rural development, helping improve food security and livelihoods.
