Awards & Honours | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Introduction

Awards and honours are a testament to the remarkable progress of humanity. They acknowledge individuals who have made pioneering strides in fields ranging from art, literature, and science to public service, journalism, and sports. These awards serve as an inspiration for others to excel and contribute to society positively.

India's Most Distinguished Awards

1. Bharat Ratna

• India's highest civilian award.
• Recognizes exceptional service in the advancement of art, literature, science, and public service.
• Notable recipients include Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Mother Teresa, Sachin Tendulkar, and Pranab Mukherjee.

2. Padma Awards

• Among India's highest civilian honors.
• Includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, recognizing distinguished services in various fields.
• Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Zakir Husain, and Nandalal Bose were some of the first awardees.

3. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

• India's highest sporting award.
• Presented to outstanding athletes who have consistently excelled at the international level.
• Recognizes their exceptional achievements and contributions to sports.

4. Arjuna Award

• India's second-highest sporting award.
• Acknowledges athletes for their exemplary performances in various sports disciplines.

5. Dronacharya Award

• India's highest sporting coaching award.
• Honors exceptional sports coaches for their significant contributions to the development of athletes.

Prestigious International Awards

1. Nobel Prize

• Considered the most coveted international award.
• Presented for outstanding achievements in fields like Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Peace, Literature, and Economics.
• Notable Indian Nobel Laureates include Rabindranath Tagore, C.V. Raman, and Amartya Sen.

2. Magsaysay Awards

• Recognizes exceptional contributions to public service, leadership, journalism, literature, and creative arts.
• Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize of Asia."

3. Academy Awards (Oscars)

• Honors achievements in the film industry.
• One of the most prestigious events in the entertainment world.

4. Pulitzer Prize

• Highly respected award for achievements in journalism, literature, and music.
• Notable winners include Ernest Hemingway, Harper Lee, and Bob Dylan.

5. UNESCO Peace Prize

• Recognizes significant contributions to promoting peace, tolerance, and non-violence.
• Presented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Gallantry Awards: Honoring Bravery and Valor

Gallantry Awards are a way to honor and recognize exceptional acts of bravery and valor in the face of adversity. They are classified into War Time Awards and Peace Time Awards. Some of the notable Gallantry Awards include:

• Param Vir Chakra: India's highest award for bravery.
• Mahavir Chakra: The second-highest gallantry award.
• Vir Chakra: Conferred for self-sacrifice not in direct action of combat.