The Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India. Bharat Ratna is established on 02 January 1954. Bharat Ratna is presented by President of India to the individuals on the recommendation by the Prime Minister of India.
Bharat Ratna criteria
1. The Bharat Ratna is conferred “in recognition with exceptional service or performance of the highest order” without distinction of race, occupation, position or gender.
2. Initially, the award was confined to the Arts, Literature, Science and public services.In December 2011,the rules were amended to “any field of human endeavor “.
3. The original statutes did not provide for posthumous awards but were amended in January 1966 to permit them to honor former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri the first individual to be honored posthumously.
4. There is no formal provision that recipient of the award should be Indian National only.In 1980 Mother Teresa,Abdul Gaffar Khan of Pakistan in 1987 and former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela in 1990 has been conferred with Bharat Ratna awart.
Entitlement
Bharat Ratna can not be used as a prefix or suffix, however recipients may identify themselves as “Awarded Bharat Ratna by the President” or “Recipient of Bharat Ratna Award”. But the award includes the following entitlements:
1. A sanad ( certificate) signed by President of India.
2. Treatment as a state guest by state government when travelling within state .
3. Entitlement to a diplomatic passport.
4. Placed seventh in the Indian order of precedence.
5. The award does not carry any monetary benefits, but concessional fare on the flag carrier Air India.