UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.
   
   

Which of the above statements are not correct?

 

Explanation:

• Article 18 abolishes titles like the hereditary titles of nobility like Maharaja, Raj Bahadur, Rai Bahadur, Rai Saheb, Dewan Bahadur, etc. which were conferred by colonial States.
  
  
• In 1996, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the National Awards– Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. It ruled that these awards do not amount to ‘titles’ within the meaning of Article 18 that prohibits only hereditary titles of nobility. Therefore, they are not violative of Article 18 as the theory of equality does not mandate that merit should not be recognised. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The Government of India instituted two civilian awards- Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954. The Padma Awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service). The Padma awards, along with other personal civil honours, was briefly suspended twice, from July 1977 to January 1980 and from August 1992 to December 1995. So, statement 2 is not correct.
  
  
• Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the country. 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 to the President of India. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year. So, statement 3 is not correct. 
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Miscellaneous(pol)