Awards and Honours | SSC CGL Tier 2 - Study Material, Online Tests, Previous Year PDF Download

An award is something given to a person, a group of people, like a sports team, or an organization in recognition of their excellence in a certain field. An award may be accompanied by trophy, title, certificate, commemorative plaque, medal, badge, pin, or ribbon. An award may carry a monetary prize given to the recipient. An award is given to recognise achievement. No matter what field it represents, it is important to give an award to show that a person’s achievement is appreciated and commended.

Gallantry Awards

• Param Vir Chakra: The highest Gallantry Award
• Mahavir Chakra: The second highest Gallantry Award
• Vir Chakra: The third highest Gallantry Award
• Ashok Chakra: The highest peacetime Gallantry award
• Kirti Chakra: For conspicuous Gallantry
• Shaurya Chakra: For an act of Gallantry

Bharat Ratna

The highest civilian award of India.

• The first three recipients of Bharat Ratna: C. Rajagopalchari, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and DR. C.V. Raman (1954)

Padma Awards

• Padma Vibhushan: The second highest civilian award given for exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: The third highest civilian award given for distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri: The fourth highest civilian award given for distinguished service.

Bharatiya Jnanpith Award

• Instituted in 22nd May, 1961, carries a cash prize of ` 5 lakhs, a citation and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati).
• This award is given for the best literary writing by an Indian citizen in a language listed in eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Gandhi Peace Prize

• Established in 2nd October, 1994. It carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 crore.

Indira Gandhi Prize For Peace, Disarmament And Development

• Instituted in 1985, this prestigious award is regarded as ‘Nobel’ and over the years, it has been awarded to those persons who have done outstanding work for international peace, disarmament and development.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

• It is India’s highest award in cinema.
• It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of film festival.

Borlaug Award

• Instituted in 1973, it carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
• It is instituted to honour outstanding agricultural scientists.

Sahitya Akademi Award

• It is awarded for outstanding literary work and carries a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh.
• Sahitya Akademi gives 22 awards for literary works in the languages which has recognized works.

Vir Chakra

• It is the third highest award, made of silver, conferred to the officers and men serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force for the same cause mentioned above.

Ashok Chakra

• A gold coated award, given to honour the men/women in the defense, whose undaunted act of pre-eminence or sacrifice is praise worthy.

Kirti Chakra

• Made of silver, this award is distributed to personnel in the armed forces obviously for the valour, exhibited by them.

Shaurya Chakra

• This is made of bronze metal. It is given for gallantry and other bravery acts, exclusively for the defense personnel.
• Similarly there are many noteworthy awards, namely Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal and Vayu Sena Medal. Of course, there are many other distinguished medals, like Param Vishist Seva Meda, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vishist Seva Medal.
• There are also many awards for activities like Sports, Music, theatre and bravery by an individual or children.
• However, it is the sacrifice by the men in the armed forces that needs special mention.