List of Bharat Ratna Award Winners

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award India can give. It is the award given by India to its citizens. This award is given to people who have done something good for the country. When you see the Bharat Ratna award winners list, you are not just seeing names. You are seeing the story of India and all the things that the country has been through.

The Bharat Ratna award started in 1954. It is given to people who have done work in many fields, such as helping others, art, writing books, science, and sports. Over time, many people from various backgrounds have received this award. This shows that anyone can do things, no matter who they are or where they come from.

For people who want to know more about India’s awards, the Bharat Ratna is the most important. It is not about being famous. It is about doing something that will be remembered for a time.

How the Award Is Given

The Government of India decides who gets the Bharat Ratna award. The Prime Minister suggests some names to the President. Then the President says yes or no. There is no rule specifying how many people can receive the award each year. Some years, nobody gets it.

The Bharat Ratna award is not just for Indians. Some people from other countries have also gotten it because they have done something good for humanity or for India. This method of selecting winners ensures that the recipients of the Bharat Ratna award are truly special.

Early Bharat Ratna Winners

The first recipients of the Bharat Ratna award were C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C. V. Raman. These people set the standard for what the award’s all about.

1. Rajagopalachari was a leader and very wise. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan taught people around the world about Indian philosophy. C. V. Raman was a scientist who won a prize and made India proud. When you look at the list of Bharat Ratna award winners, you will see that many of the winners helped shape the India we know today.

Leaders of India Who Received Bharat Ratna

Many famous Bharat Ratna winners come from politics and public service. These leaders helped build the nation after independence. Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India, received the award for helping shape the country’s rules and institutions. Indira Gandhi was honoured for being a leader during difficult times.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was known as the “Iron Man of India” for his role in uniting the country. Lal Bahadur Shastri was also awarded for his strong leadership. These people show how India’s early leaders and heroes helped the country grow.

Contributions in Science and Education

Science and education are very important for India’s growth. Many recipients of the Bharat Ratna award were scientists and educators. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is one of the most beloved recipients. He was called the “Missile Man of India” for his role in India’s space and defence programs. Later, he became the President. Inspired many young people.

Homi J. Bhabha and M. Visvesvaraya also did work. They helped India grow in technology and infrastructure. These people remind us that knowledge and hard work can change a nation.

Artists and Cultural Icons

India has a diverse culture, and the list of Bharat Ratna award winners shows this. Many artists have been honoured for keeping traditions alive and making India known around the world. Lata Mangeshkar, known as the “Nightingale of India”, got the award for her music. Her voice touched hearts.

Satyajit Ray made films that were seen around the world and showed the beauty of Indian cinema. Pandit Ravi Shankar introduced classical music to people around the world. These famous Bharat Ratna winners show how art can connect people beyond borders.

Social Workers and Humanitarian Leaders

The Bharat Ratna award also honours people who work for society and humanity. Mother Teresa spent her life helping the poor and sick. Her work in Kolkata is an example of kindness.

Vinoba Bhave worked for land reforms through movements. B. R. Ambedkar fought for equality. Helped write the Indian Constitution. These people remind us that real change comes from caring for others.

Sports Personalities in the List

For a time, sports were not included in the Bharat Ratna award. Then Sachin Tendulkar became the first sportsperson to get it. Sachin’s hard work and achievements in cricket made him a national hero. His journey from a player to a global legend inspired many.

Later, Major Dhyan Chand was also honoured for his contribution to hockey. His skill and achievements made India proud in international sports. These names show how sports can unite a nation.

Foreign Recipients of Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna award is not just for Indians. Some people from other countries have also gotten it. Nelson Mandela received the award for his fight against apartheid and for his connection to India’s freedom movement. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as the Frontier Gandhi, was another winner.

Their inclusion shows that the award values contributions to peace and humanity, not in India but all around the world.

Why the Bharat Ratna Matters Today

When you look at the list of Bharat Ratna award winners, you see a mix of leaders, thinkers, artists and reformers. Each name tells a story about India’s journey.

For students, professionals, or anyone interested in Indian national awards, this list is more than history. It is a source of inspiration. It shows that success is not limited to one field. You can make a difference in many ways. It shows that you can make a difference in various ways. The award also reminds people that true recognition comes from doing something that lasts, not from being famous for a short time.

Complete View of Bharat Ratna Recipients in India

The list includes over 40 winners, each with their own story. From leaders like C. Rajagopalachari to modern heroes like Sachin Tendulkar, the list is very diverse. Some people were honoured after their deaths, showing that their work was valued even after they were gone. This makes the list of Bharat Ratna recipients in India more meaningful.

Lessons From The Winners

From those who’ve won the Bharat Ratna, we learn quiet truths. Not just fame, but steady effort counts. A single life, sometimes, shifts entire paths. Victory arrives not always loud, often unseen.

Starting unsure? These tales might spark something. Not every step has to shine bright. What matters is moving forward, eyes on what counts. Anyone – student, job holder, seeker – can find a hint here. Mistakes won’t stop progress. Pushing through does. What matters most hasn’t changed – truth, effort, care in action still hold weight now just as before.

Bharat Ratna Award Winners

 

No.	Name	Awarded Year	About
1	Shri Chakravarti Rajagopalachari	1954	Independence Activist, Last Governor General
2	Sir C.V Raman	1954	Physicist , Nobel Prize Winner ( 1930 )
3	Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	1954	Philosopher, India’s First Vice President (1952-1962), and India’s Second President(1962-1967)
4	Bhagvan Das	1955	Independence activist, author
5	Mokshagundam Visvesvarayya	1955	Civil engineer, Diwan of Mysore
6	Jawaharlal Nehru	1955	Independence activist, author, First Prime Minister (1947-1964)
7	Govind Ballabh Pant	1957	Independence activist, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Home Minister
8	Dhondo Keshav Karve	1958	Educator, social reformer
9	Bidhan Chandra Roy	1961	Physician, Chief Minister Of West Bengal
10	Purushottam Das Tandon	1961	Independence activist, educator
11	Rajendra Prasad	1962	Independence activist, jurist, First President (1950-1962)
12	Zakir Hussain	1963	Independence activist, Scholar, Third President (1967-1969)
13	Pandurang Vaman Kane	1963	Indologist and Sanskrit scholar
14	Lal Bahadur Shastri	1966	Posthumous, independence activist, Second Prime Minister (1964-1966)
15	Indira Gandhi	1971	Third Prime Minister (1980-1984)
16	V.V. Giri	1975	Trade unionist and Fourth President (1969)
17	K. Kamaraj	1976	Posthumous, independence activist, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State
18	Mother Teresa	1980	Catholic nun, founder of the Missionaries of Charity
19	Vinoba Bhave	1983	Posthumous, social reformer, independence activist
20	Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan	1987	First non-citizen, independence activist
21	M.G. Ramchandran	1988	Posthumous, film actor, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
22	B.R. Ambedkar	1990	Posthumous, chief architect of the Indian Constitution, politician, economist, and scholar
23	Nelson Mandela	1990	Second non-citizen and non-Indian recipient, Leader of the Anti-Apartheid movement
24	Rajiv Gandhi	1991	Posthumous, Sixth Prime Minister (1984-1989)
25	Vallabhbhai Patel	1991	Posthumous, independence activist, first Home Minister(1947-1950)
26	Morarji Desai	1991	Independence activist, fourth Prime Minister(1977-1979)
27	Abul Kalam Azad	1992	Posthumous, independence activist, first Minister of Education
28	J. R. D. Tata	1992	Industrialist and philanthropist
29	Satyajit Ray	1992	Bengali Filmmaker
30	A.P.J. Abdul Kalam	1997	Aeronautical Engineer,11th President of India
31	Gulzarilal Nanda	1997	Independence activist, interim Prime Minister
32	Aruna Asaf Ali	1997	Posthumous, independence activist
33	M.S. Subbulakshmi	1998	Carnatic classical singer
34	Chidambaram Subramaniam	1998	Independence activist, Minister of Agriculture
35	Jayaprakash Narayan	1999	Posthumous, independence activist and politician
36	Ravi Shankar	1999	Sitar Player
37	Amartya Sen	1999	Economist
38	Gopinath Bardoloi	1999	Posthumous, independence activist, Chief Minister of Assam
39	Lata Mangeshkar	2001	Playback singer
40	Bismillah Khan	2001	Hindustani Classical Shehnai Player
41	Bhimsen Joshi	2008	Hindustani Classical Singer
42	Sachin Tendulkar	2014	Indian Cricketer, First Sportsman and Youngest Indian who got Bharat Ratna,
43	Prof. C.N.R Rao	2014	Chemist
44	Madan Mohan Malaviya	2014	Educationist and politician
45	Atal Bihari Vajpayee	2014	Former Prime Minister of India (1996), (1998), (1999-2004)
45	Atal Bihari Vajpayee	2015	Former Prime Minister of India (1996), (1998), (1999-2004)
45	Madan Mohan Malaviya	2015	Scholar and educational reforme
45	Pranab Mukherjee	2015	Served as the 13th President of India from 2012 until 2017
45	Bhupen Hazarika	2019	Hazarika was an Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, poet and film-maker
45	Nanaji Deshmukh	2019	A social activist from India

 

FAQs on Bharat Ratna Awards

What is the Bharat Ratna Award?

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award India gives. It is given for outstanding service in different fields like public service, art, science, and sports.

Who Chooses the Bharat Ratna Awardees?

A choice comes from the top leader, then it moves to the head of state for approval or refusal.

As you read through the names, you start to see patterns. Many winners faced challenges, worked hard and stayed committed to their goals.

How many people receive the award each year?

There is no rule specifying how many people can receive the award each year. Some years, nobody gets it.

Can foreigners receive the Bharat Ratna?

Yes, some people from certain countries have gotten it for their contributions to humanity or to India.

Who was the sportsperson to receive the award?

Sachin Tendulkar was the sportsperson to get the Bharat Ratna award.

Is the award given after death?

Yes, many people have been honoured after they died.

Why is the Bharat Ratna important?

It recognises people who have made an impact on India and society. It also inspires generations.

When you look closely at the Bharat Ratna award winners list, you are not just reading names. You are learning about bravery, creativity, leadership and service. Each name carries a story that continues to inspire people across generations. The Bharat Ratna award winners list is like a book that tells the story of India and its people. It shows us how to be brave, work hard, and make a difference. The Bharat Ratna award is a reminder that we all have the power to change the world.