The Bharat Ratna is India’s most prestigious civilian honour award which was established in 1954. This award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the nation, whether through public service or exceptional achievements in literature, science, art, or other fields. Each year, a maximum of 3 individuals may be honoured with this title. Below, we present a Bharat Ratna Award Winners List from 1954 to 2025, along with their important contribution in the history of the nation.
Bharat Ratna Award Winners
The recommendation for the most prestigious Bharat Ratna Award is given by the Prime Minister of India and is presented by the President of India. Till 2025, 48 aspiring personalities have been awarded with the Bharat Ratna Award, including 14 posthumously.
As per Article 18(1) of the Indian Constitution, no titles related to the award can be used as prefixes or suffixes to a person’s name. This rule also applies to the Bharat Ratna, meaning awardees cannot add the award to their names officially. The award doesn’t hold any monetary rewards. Recipients are given a certificate (Sanad) signed by the President and a peepal-leaf-shaped medal. This medal displays the state emblem of India and the national motto, “Satyamev Jayate” (Truth Alone Triumphs).
Bharat Ratna Award Winners List from 1954 to 2025
The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, has a rich history associated with its recipients and nominations. For instance, in 1992, the Government of India decided to present the award posthumously to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. However, his family and supporters opposed it, questioning the circumstances surrounding his death. Similarly, the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand’s name has frequently surfaced for this honour, yet he has not been awarded to date.
No Bharat Ratna awards were presented in 2021 or 2022. Below is a year-wise Bharat Ratna Award Winners List from 1954 to 2025, with posthumous recipients marked by an asterisk (*).
| Bharat Ratna Award Winners List from 1954 to 2025 | ||
|
Recipients (State/UT) |
Year |
Key Notes |
|
C. Rajagopalachari/ Rajaji (Tamil Nadu) |
1954 |
He was the last Governor General of India and also founder of the Swatantra Party. He was the conscience keeper of MK Gandhi. |
|
(Tamil Nadu) |
1954 |
He was the first Vice President of India and the country’s second President. |
|
(Tamil Nadu) |
1954 |
He became the first Asian scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in any branch of science, also famous for his discoveries in physics like Raman Scattering. |
|
Bhagwan Das (Uttar Pradesh) |
1955 |
He co-founded the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith, also contributed to the foundation of Banaras Hindu University. |
|
(Karnataka) |
1955 |
He was a civil engineer who contributed much to the country’s dam development. |
|
(Uttar Pradesh) |
1955 |
Jawaharlal Nehru became the first and longest tenure Prime Minister (PM) of India, He was PM at the time of receiving this award. |
|
Govind Ballabh Pant (Uttarakhand) |
1957 |
He was elected to be the first chief minister of the state of Uttar Pradesh who was a huge supporter of making Hindi a national language. |
|
Dhondo Keshav Karve (Maharashtra) |
1958 |
Dhondo Keshav Karve was a great social reformer and was famous for women’s education, and widow remarriage also founded the Widow Marriage Association. |
|
Bidhan Chandra Roy (West Bengal) |
1961 |
Bidhan Chandra Roy is recognized as the Maker of Modern West Bengal. |
|
Purushottam Das Tandon (Uttar Pradesh) |
1961 |
Purushottam Das Tandon was titled Rajarshi. He became the speaker in Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He supported the Hindi language making it the official language. |
|
(Bihar) |
1962 |
Rajendra Prasad swore as the first President of India. He was actively involved in the non-cooperation movement with Mahatma Gandhi Ji. |
|
Zakir Husain (Andhra Pradesh) |
1963 |
Zakir Husain was elected to be the second Vice President and third President of India. He became the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. |
|
Pandurang Vaman Kane (Maharashtra) |
1963 |
He was a great Indologist and Sanskrit scholar who was well known for his works like ‘History of Dharmasastra: Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Laws in India’. |
|
(Uttar Pradesh) * |
1966 |
Lal Bahadur Shastri became the first posthumous recipient of the Bharat Ratna Award, He was elected to be the second PM of India. He is popular in the country for his slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. |
|
(Uttar Pradesh) |
1971 |
Indira Gandhi was the first female recipient of the Bharat Ratna Award, She was PM during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. |
|
V. V. Giri (Odisha) |
1975 |
V. V. Giri, 4th President of India, was a trade union leader and freedom fighter championing workers’ rights and democracy. |
|
K. Kamaraj (Tamil Nadu) * |
1976 |
K. Kamaraj, “Kingmaker,” played a pivotal role in Indian politics by supporting Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers. |
|
(West Bengal, born in North Macedonia) |
1980 |
Mother Teresa, a Bharat Ratna recipient and Nobel Laureate, founded the Missionaries of Charity, dedicating her life to humanitarian service. |
|
(Maharashtra) * |
1983 |
Vinoba Bhave, a Gandhian, is renowned for the Bhoodan Movement and received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for his humanitarian efforts. |
|
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan (Pakistan) |
1987 |
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, “Frontier Gandhi,” founded the Red Shirt Movement and was the first non-citizen Bharat Ratna recipient. |
|
M. G. Ramachandran (Tamil Nadu) * |
1988 |
M. G. Ramachandran, the first actor to receive Bharat Ratna, founded AIADMK and became the first actor-turned-Chief Minister. |
|
(Maharashtra) |
1990 |
B.R. Ambedkar, chief architect of the Indian Constitution and first Law Minister, strongly opposed the caste system in Hinduism. |
|
B.R. Ambedkar (South Africa) |
1990 |
B.R. Ambedkar, known as the “Gandhi of South Africa,” was the second non-citizen Bharat Ratna recipient and Nobel laureate. |
|
Rajiv Gandhi (Uttar Pradesh) |
1991 |
Rajiv Gandhi, India’s youngest PM at 40, passed landmark laws like the Anti-defection Law during his tenure from 1984. |
|
(Gujarat) |
1991 |
Vallabhbhai Patel, the “Iron Man of India,” served as Deputy Prime Minister and led the Bardoli Satyagraha and All India Services. |
|
Morarji Desai (Gujarat) |
1991 |
Morarji Desai, India’s first non-Congress PM and oldest PM, is the only Indian awarded Pakistan’s Nishan-e-Pakistan honour. |
|
Abul Kalam Azad (West Bengal) |
1992 |
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister, is honoured on his birth anniversary (11th November) as National Education Day. |
|
J. R. D. Tata (Maharashtra) |
1992 |
J. R. D. Tata, an industrialist and aviation pioneer, founded Air India and established institutes like TIFR, TCS, and Tata Motors. |
|
Satyajit Ray (West Bengal) |
1992 |
Satyajit Ray, renowned for bringing Indian cinema global recognition, directed Pather Panchali and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. |
|
Gulzarilal Nanda (Punjab) |
1997 |
Gulzarilal Nanda served twice as interim PM and deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, advocating labor issues nationally. |
|
Aruna Asaf Ali (West Bengal) |
1997 |
Aruna Asaf Ali, the first post-independence Mayor of Delhi, played a key role in the Quit India Movement of 1942. |
|
(Tamil Nadu) |
1997 |
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the “Missile Man of India,” advanced missile technology, served as 11th President, and authored notable works. |
|
M. S. Subbulakshmi (Tamil Nadu) |
1998 |
M. S. Subbulakshmi, the Queen of Songs, was India’s first musician awarded the Ramon Magsaysay for her charity work. |
|
Chidambaram Subramaniam (Tamil Nadu) |
1998 |
Chidambaram Subramaniam contributed to the Green Revolution in India and the International Rice Research Institute of Manila, Philippines. |
|
Jayaprakash Narayan (Bihar) |
1999 |
Jayaprakash Narayan, known as Loknayak, led the Total Revolution Movement against the Congress government, advocating for political and social reforms. |
|
Amartya Sen (West Bengal) |
1999 |
Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics, contributed to welfare economics, social justice, and social choice theory, influencing global policies. |
|
Gopinath Bordoloi (Assam) |
1999 |
Gopinath Bordoloi, Assam’s first chief minister, is honored as Lokapriya for his dedication to Assam’s development and progress. |
|
Ravi Shankar (Uttar Pradesh) |
1999 |
Ravi Shankar, the world’s leading Hindustani classical musician, is renowned for his mastery and received a Grammy Award for his work. |
|
Lata Mangeshkar (Maharashtra) |
2001 |
Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India, honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, is celebrated as the Queen of Melody. |
|
Bismillah Khan (Uttar Pradesh) |
2001 |
Bismillah Khan, a renowned shehnai virtuoso, popularised the instrument in Indian music and became the third classical musician honoured with Bharat Ratna. |
|
Bhimsen Joshi (Karnataka) |
2009 |
Bhimsen Joshi, a renowned Hindustani classical singer from Kirana Gharana, was celebrated for his mastery in the Khyal genre. |
|
C. N. R. Rao (Karnataka) |
2014 |
C. N. R. Rao, an eminent chemist, contributed to solid-state chemistry and received numerous prestigious awards, including the Marlow Medal. |
|
Sachin Tendulkar (Maharashtra) |
2014 |
Sachin Tendulkar is known as the Master Blaster in cricket history. He is the only batsman to score more than 30,000 runs in entire forms of international cricket matches. |
|
(Uttar Pradesh) |
2015 |
Madan Mohan Malaviya was the founder of the Banaras Hindu University and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha. |
|
Atal Bihari Bajpayee (Madhya Pradesh) |
2015 |
Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a three-time PM and 1994 Best Parliamentarian, was also a renowned poet and statesman. |
|
Pranab Mukherjee (West Bengal) |
2019 |
Pranab Mukherjee, the 13th President of India and former Lok Sabha leader, passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19. |
|
Nanaji Deshmukh (Maharashtra) |
2019 |
Nanaji Deshmukh, also known as Chandikadas Deshmukh, contributed to education, rural development, health, and led Bharatiya Jana Sangh. |
|
Bhupen Hazarika (Assam) |
2019 |
Bhupen Hazarika, known as Sudhakantha, was an influential filmmaker, poet, lyricist, playback singer, and musician in India. |
|
Karpoori Thakur (Bihar)* |
2024 |
Karpoori Thakur, Bihar’s former CM and Jan Nayak, passed away on 17th February 1988; award recognized 35 years later. |
|
Lal Krishna Advani |
2024 |
He served as Home Minister and later Deputy Prime Minister in Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s cabinet from 1999 to 2004. |
|
(Thiruvananthapuram) |
2024 |
Conferred with the Bharat Ratna – the country’s highest civilian honour. |
|
Chaudhary Charan Singh (Uttar Pradesh)* |
2024 |
He dedicated his life to farmers’ welfare, opposed the Emergency, and inspired through his unwavering commitment to farmers. |
|
PV Narasimha Rao (Andhra Pradesh) |
2024 |
Narasimha Rao led major economic reforms in the 1990s, transforming India’s economy while heading a Congress government at Centre. |
First Three Bharat Ratna Award Winners
The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, was first awarded in 1954. Among the inaugural recipients were C. Rajagopalachari, C.V. Raman, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, all from Tamil Nadu.
- Rajagopalachari, a multifaceted leader, was a prominent activist, statesman, and lawyer.
- Dr. Radhakrishnan, renowned for his contributions to education, served as India’s first Vice-President and later became its second President.
- C.V. Raman, a distinguished physicist and mathematician, is celebrated for his groundbreaking work in the field of physics, particularly for the discovery of Raman Scattering. His remarkable achievements led him to become the first Asian scientist to win a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.
Bharat Ratna Award Winner Indian Presidents
Between 1954 and 2025, several Indian Presidents have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna Award. Out of the 48 individuals who have received this esteemed recognition, six of them have served as Presidents of India. Below is a table listing the names of these Presidents and the years they were awarded the Bharat Ratna.
| Bharat Ratna Award Winner Indian Presidents | |
|
Presidents of India |
Year of Award |
|
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan |
1954 |
|
Rajendra Prasad |
1962 |
|
Zakir Hussain |
1963 |
|
A. P. J. Abdul Kalam |
1997 |
|
Dr. V V Giri |
1975 |
|
Pranab Mukherjee |
2019 |
What Are The Benefits For Bharat Ratna Award
- Bharat Ratna awardees are placed at Position 7A in the Table of Precedence, alongside top dignitaries like Governors, Former Presidents, and the Deputy Prime Minister, ensuring high-level recognition during official events.
- Awardees receive a diplomatic passport, granting them access to separate immigration counters, VIP lounges at airports, and other privileges reserved for top government officials.
- Recipients enjoy lifetime free air travel in executive class across domestic routes, sponsored by the Government of India.
- They receive the same treatment as senior government dignitaries during official travels, including protocol services and access to government guest houses.
- The Bharat Ratna Award includes a bronze medallion shaped like a peepal leaf, a miniature replica, and a certificate signed by the President of India.
- Any financial rewards or accompanying honors received by Bharat Ratna Awardees are exempt from income tax under Indian tax laws.
- Bharat Ratna recipients are revered across the country. Their names are often associated with public institutions, and they hold a permanent place of respect in Indian history and society.
Youngest Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award
The Youngest Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award is Sachin Tendulkar, who received the honour in 2014 at the age of 40. He made history not only as the youngest awardee but also as the first sportsperson to receive India’s highest civilian honour. Tendulkar was recognised for his exceptional contribution to Indian cricket, having inspired millions through his sporting achievements and discipline.
Oldest Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award
The Oldest Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award is Dhondo Keshav Karve, who was honoured in 1958 at the age of 100. A renowned social reformer and educator, Karve played a crucial role in women’s education and widow remarriage in India during the early 20th century. His lifetime of service to society earned him this prestigious recognition at a remarkably advanced age.
Last updated on November, 2025
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