Leadership awards[edit]

Gandhi Peace Prize

Indira Gandhi Prize

Literature awards[edit]

Sahitya Akademi Award

Sahitya Akademi Fellowship

Bhasha Samman

Translation Awards

Anand Coomarswamy Fellowships

Premchand Fellowship

Jnanpith Award

Civilian awards[edit]
Bharat Ratna[edit]
The Bharat Ratna [1] 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 in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. 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.

Padma awards[edit]

Padma Awards[2]

Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954. Except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1977 and 1980 and 1993 to 1997, these awards have been announced every year
on Republic day.
The award is given in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service.
Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order.
Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service'.
The award seeks to recognise work of any distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines, such as Art, Literature and
Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade and Industry etc.
All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously if the demise of the person
proposed to be honoured has been recent, say within a period of one year preceding the Republic Day on which it is proposed to announce the award.
A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly
deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
It is the usual practice is to invite recommendations every year from all State/UT Governments, Ministries/Departments of the Government of India, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan
awardees and Institutes of Excellence by 1 October. Recommendations received from them and also from other sources like Ministers, Chief Ministers/Governors of State, Members of
Parliament, as also private individuals, bodies etc., are placed before the Padma Awards Committee. The Awards Committee is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The recommendations made by the Awards Committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for their approval. No award is conferred except on the recommendation
of the Awards Committee.
The names of the award winners are published in the Gazette of India. The President may cancel and annul the award of the decoration to any person.
The Awards are announced on 26 January every year and are presented by the President of India in an Awards presentation Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony is
generally held in the month of March/April.
The decoration comprises a Sanad (Certificate) issued under the hand and seal of the President and a Medallion. A commemorative brochure giving out brief details in respect of each
award winner is also released on the day of the investiture ceremony.
The recipients are also given a replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc., if they so desire.

 The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the award winners name on letterheads, invitation cards, posters, books etc. In the case of any misuse,
the defaulter will forfeit the award.
No cash allowance or any facility/benefit in terms of concession etc. in rail/air travel is attached to these awards.

Padma Vibhushan Second degree honour.

Padma Bhushan Third degree honour.

Padma Shri Fourth degree honour.

Patriotic Awards[edit]
Main article: Indian military decorations

Wartime gallantry awards[edit]

Param Vir Chakra Highest military award for valour, equivalent to the Victoria Cross (which was replaced once India gained its independence).

Maha Vir Chakra- The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the second highest military decoration in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the
enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Vir Chakra-It is third in precedence in the war time gallantry

Peacetime gallantry awards[edit]

Ashok Chakra Award- an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the
Param Vir Chakra.

Kirti Chakra-It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.

Shaurya Chakra-It happens to be third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.

Wartime/Peacetime service and gallantry awards[edit]

Sena Medal

Nao Sena Medal

Vayusena Medal

Wartime Distinguished Service[edit]

Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal

Uttam Yudh Seva Medal

Yudh Seva Medal

Peacetime Distinguished Service[edit]

Param Vishisht Seva Medal

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

Vishisht Seva Medal

Particular awards[edit]
National sports awards[edit]

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Chand.

Dronacharya award.

Arjuna award.

Police awards[edit]

President's Police Medal for Gallantry

President's Fire Services Medal for Gallantry

President's Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry

President's Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry

Police Medal for Gallantry

Fire Services Medal for Gallantry

Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry

Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry

President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service

President's Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service

President's Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service

President's Home Guards and Civil Defence for Distinguished Service

Police Medal for Meritorious Service

Fire Services Medal for Meritorious Service

Correction Service Medal for Meritorious Service

Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service

Bravery awards[edit]

National Bravery Award

Bharat Award

Sanjay Chopra Award

Geeta Chopra Award

Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards

Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak

Jeevan Raksha Padak