Introduction: The Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, has been a beacon of honor and recognition since its inception in 1954. Bestowed upon individuals for their exceptional contributions to public service across various domains, this prestigious award symbolizes the nation’s gratitude towards outstanding achievers. As we delve into the list of Bharat Ratna recipients spanning from 1954 to 2024, we witness a journey marked by brilliance, dedication, and unparalleled service to society.
Bharat Ratna 2024 Award Winners: In the year 2024, the Bharat Ratna continues its tradition of honoring exemplary figures who have left an indelible mark on India’s history. Renowned socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar, Karpoori Thakur, is posthumously conferred with the Bharat Ratna on the eve of his 100th birth anniversary. His legacy of social reform and unwavering commitment to public welfare resonate profoundly in the annals of Indian governance.
Adding to the distinguished list of awardees is Lal Krishna Advani, the veteran leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), recognized for his significant contributions to Indian politics. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this honor, highlighting Advani’s enduring impact on the nation’s political landscape.
Additionally, the 2024 Bharat Ratna Award pays tribute to three exceptional individuals whose endeavors have shaped India’s trajectory. Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, receive this prestigious honor, underscoring their unmatched dedication to India’s progress and prosperity.
Historical Significance: Since its inception, the Bharat Ratna has celebrated excellence across various fields, transcending barriers of occupation, gender, and position. The award, presented by the President of India, serves as a testament to the nation’s appreciation for exceptional service and performance. Notably, the Bharat Ratna can also be awarded posthumously, a gesture that acknowledges the enduring legacy of individuals beyond their lifetime.
Notable Awardees: The list of Bharat Ratna recipients includes luminaries from diverse backgrounds, each leaving an indelible mark on Indian society. From the inaugural recipients in 1954—politician C. Rajagopalachari, philosopher Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and scientist CV Raman—to modern-day stalwarts like Sachin Tendulkar, the youngest awardee in 2014, and Dhondo Keshav Karve, the oldest recipient at his centennial birthday in 1958, each recipient has contributed significantly to the nation’s progress.
| Year | Recipients | About |
| Bharat Ratna 1954 | C. Rajagopalachari | Activist, statesman, and lawyer |
| Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan | India’s first Vice-President and second President | |
| C. V. Raman | Physicists, mathematicians, and scientists | |
| Bharat Ratna 1955 | Bhagwan Das | Activist, philosopher, and educationist |
| M. Visvesvaraya | Civil engineer, statesman, and Diwan of Mysore | |
| Jawaharlal Nehru | Activist and author served as the Prime Minister of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1957 | Govind Ballabh Pant | Activist and first Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh |
| Bharat Ratna 1958 | Dhondo Keshav Karve | Social reformer and educator |
| Bharat Ratna 1961 | Bidhan Chandra Roy | Physician, political leader, philanthropist, educationist, and social worker |
| Purushottam Das Tandon | Activist and speaker of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly | |
| Bharat Ratna 1962 | Rajendra Prasad | Activist, lawyer, statesman, and scholar |
| Bharat Ratna 1963 | Zakir Husain | Activist, economist, and education philosopher served as a Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University and the Governor of Bihar |
| Pandurang Vaman Kane | Indologist and Sanskrit scholar, known for his five-volume literary work | |
| Bharat Ratna 1966 | Lal Bahadur Shastri | Activist and served as the second Prime Minister of India |
| Bharat Ratna 1971 | Indira Gandhi | First women Prime Minister of India |
| Bharat Ratna 1975 | V. V. Giri | Trade Unionist |
| Bharat Ratna 1976 | K. Kamaraj | Independence activist and statesman, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Bharat Ratna 1980 | Mother Teresa | Catholic nun and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity. |
| 1983 | Vinoba Bhave | Activist, social reformer, and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi |
| Bharat Ratna 1987 | Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan | First noncitizen, independence activist |
| Bharat Ratna 1988 | M. G. Ramachandran | Actor turned politician, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu |
| Bharat Ratna 1990 | B.R. Ambedkar | Social reformer and leader of the Dalits |
| Nelson Mandela | Leader of the Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa, President of South Africa | |
| Bharat Ratna 1991 | Rajiv Gandhi | Gandhi was the ninth Prime Minister of India serving from 1984 to 1989. |
| Vallabhbhai Patel | Activist and first Deputy Prime Minister of India | |
| Morarji Desai | Activist, and Prime Minister of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1992 | Abul Kalam Azad | Activist and first Minister of education |
| J. R. D. Tata | Industrialist, philanthropist, and aviation pioneer | |
| Satyajit Ray | Director, filmmaker, writer, novelist | |
| Bharat Ratna 1997 | Gulzarilal Nanda | Activist, and interim Prime Minister of India. |
| Aruna Asaf Ali | Activist | |
| A.P.J Abdul Kalam | Aerospace and defense scientist | |
| Bharat Ratna 1998 | M. S. Subbulakshmi | Carnatic classical vocalist |
| Chidambaram Subramaniam | Activist and former Minister of Agriculture of India | |
| Bharat Ratna 1999 | Jayaprakash Narayan | Activist, and social reformer |
| Amartya Sen | Economist | |
| Gopinath Bordoloi | Activist | |
| Ravi Shankar | Musician, sitar player | |
| Bharat Ratna 2001 | Lata Mangeshkar | Singer |
| Bismillah Khan | Hindustani classical shehnai player | |
| Bharat Ratna 2009 | Bhimsen Joshi | Hindustani classical vocalist |
| Bharat Ratna 2014 | C. N. R. Rao | Chemist and professor, author |
| Sachin Tendulkar | Cricketer | |
| Bharat Ratna 2015 | Madan Mohan Malaviya | Scholar and educational reformer. |
| Atal Bihari Bajpayee | Elected nine times to the Lok Sabha, twice to the Rajya Sabha, and served as the Prime Minister of India for three terms. | |
| Bharat Ratna 2019 | Pranab Mukherjee | Indian politician, and senior leader in the Indian National Congress. |
| Nanaji Deshmukh | A social activist from India, education, health, and rural self-reliance. | |
| Bhupen Hazarika | Indian playback singer, lyricist, musician, singer, poet, and filmmaker from Assam. | |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 (Posthumously) | Karpoori Thakur | A renowned socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | Lal Krishna Advani | A Veteran Bhartiya Janta Party Leader |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | PV Narsimha Rao | Former Prime Minister |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | Chaudhary Charan Singh | A former Prime Minister who supported the agricultural sector and upheld the rights of the farmers. |
| Bharat Ratna 2024 | MS Swaminathan | Father of Green Revolution |
As we reflect on the journey of the Bharat Ratna Award from its inception to the present day, we are reminded of the exceptional individuals who have shaped India’s destiny. Their unwavering dedication, exemplary service, and remarkable achievements serve as an inspiration for future generations. The Bharat Ratna remains a testament to India’s commitment to honoring excellence and fostering a brighter future for generations to come.