List of Bharat Ratna Award Winners

There are many countries in the world, and almost every country has some civilian award that country gives to its citizens for doing some good work for the country. In the same way, some civilian awards in India are given to the citizens of India for doing great work for the country or the person who is not a citizen of India but did great work for the country in any field.

Since the independence of India, there have been many such people who have done very great work for the country, and they have received civilian awards for their good works. Today in this article, we will know about such people who have got India's highest civilian award (Bharat Ratna).

What is Bharat Ratna?

Before seeing the list of such people who have got Bharat Ratna, let us first know about Bharat Ratna. The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, and it is given to those who have done something great in their field. The President of India gives this award.

Bharat Ratna is a medal, and if we talk about its decoration, it is in the form of a peepal leaf. The length of this medal is 5.8 cm, the width is 4.7 cm, and its thickness is 3.1 mm. On the upper side of the medal, there is a circular artwork of the Sun, and Bharat Ratna is written in Hindi below it. On the reverse side of the medal, State Emblem is made, and Satyamev Jayate is written in Hindi, and this medal is worn by putting it in white lace.

Bharat Ratna Is Given to Whom?

We all know what Bharat Ratna is, but to whom is it given? Can Bharat Ratna be given to the people of the whole country? The answer is no; Bharat Ratna is not given to any individual; it is given to only those people who have done great or tremendous work in their field.

But before the year 2011, this award was given only to the people of some limited areas. It was earlier given to the people doing good work in the field of arts, literature, science, and public service. Although, after the year 2011, the government changed the rule and expanded the area, and it is now given to the individuals who have done great work in any field of human endeavor.

List of Bharat Ratna Award Winners Year Wise

President Rajendra Prasad launched Bharat Ratna on January 2, 1954. Since then, to date, it has been given to 48 people. Bharat Ratna award can also be given posthumously to a person, and this award can be given to a maximum of 3 people in a year. Let us know about those people who have been given Bharat Ratna.

Let's see them one by one.

1. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan - 1954

When Bharat Ratna was given for the first time in 1954, this award was given to three people, and one of them was Sarvepalli Radhakrishna. Even though the award was given to three people together in 1954, but the name of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan is taken as the first person to get Bharat Ratna.

He was a well-known philosopher and India's second President and First Vice President. From 1962 to 1967, he was India's President, and from 1952 to 1962, he was the country's Vice President. Moreover, on his birthday, Teacher's Day has been celebrated in India on 5 September since 1962.

2. Chakravarti Rajagopalachari - 1954

In 1954, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari was awarded the Bharat Ratna. He was a writer, politician, independence activist, and lawyer. He was also the last Governor-General of India and was also known as Rajaji, C.R., and Mutharignar Rajaji.

When Nehru's first cabinet was formed, he was also the home minister in that cabinet. Moreover, he also served as the first Governor of West Bengal, and from 1952 to 1954, he was also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

3. Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman - 1954

The third person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954 was C V Raman. He was a well-known physicist. Raman is well-known for his work on light scattering and discovering the "Raman scattering or Raman effect." He was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in the year 1930, and he was not only the first Indian who got the Nobel Prize in any branch of science, but he was also the first Asian. C V Raman worked more in the field of atomic physics and electromagnetism.

4. Bhagwan Das -1955

In 1955, Bharat Ratna was also given to three people; one of them was Bhagwan Das. He was a well-known theosophist, independence activist, educationist, and philosopher. Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth is a well-known university, and Bhagwan Das was the co-founder of this university. Moreover, he also worked for the foundation of Banaras Hindu University, a well-known university in India with Madan Mohan Malviya.

5. M. Visvesvaraya - 1955

The second person who was given the Bharat Ratna in 1955 was M. Visvesvaraya. He was a well-known statesman and civil engineer. Apart from this, he also served as the Diwan of Mysore from the year 1912 to the year 1919. Moreover, his full name is Sir Mokshagundam Srinivasa Shastry Vishveshwarayya. Also, on his birthday, Engineers' Day is celebrated in India, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka on 15 September.

6. Jawaharlal Nehru - 1955

Jawaharlal Nehru was the third person awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1955. Nehru was a writer, independence activist, and lawyer, and apart from this, he was also India's first Prime Minister who served the country from 1947 to 1964. Moreover, in 1955, when he was given the Bharat Ratna, he was also the Prime Minister of India.

7. Govind Ballabh Pant - 1957

In the year 1956, Bharat Ratna was not given to anyone, and in the year 1957, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Govind Ballabh Pant. He was the first Chief Minister of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh who served the state as Chief Minister from 1950 to 1954. Furthermore, he also served as the country's home minister from 1955 to 1961. He was also a freedom fighter who contributed a lot to the country's independence.

8. Dhondo Keshav Karve - 1958

In the year 1958 also, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Dhondo Keshav Karve. He was also known as Maharshi Karve. He was one of the famous social reformers of India. He did most of his work for the welfare of women. He established the Hindu Widow Home and Widow Marriage Association in 1883 and 1896. He also started a university in 1916 in Mumbai, and the name of this university is Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University.

9. Bidhan Chandra Roy - 1961

After the year 1958, in 1961, two people were awarded the Bharat Ratna; one of them was Bidhan Chandra Roy. He was a politician, social worker, educationist, physician, and philanthropist. He served as the second Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 to 1962, and people believe that he is the maker of modern West Bengal. Moreover, on his birthday, National Doctors' Day is celebrated in India, i.e., on 1 July.

10. Purushottam Das Tandon - 1961

Purushottam Das Tandon is the second person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in the year 1961. He was one of the well-known freedom fighters, and he was also given the title of Rajarshi. Apart from this, he was also the speaker in the Legislative Assembly of Uttar Pradesh.

11. Rajendra Prasad- 1962

In 1962, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Rajendra Prasad. He was a lawyer, independence activist, scholar, and politician. Moreover, he was also the first President of India, who served the country from 1950 to 1962.

12. Zakir Husain - 1963

In 1963, two people were awarded the Bharat Ratna; and one of them was Zakir Husain. He was an economist, education philosopher, independence activist, and politician. He has been both the President and Vice President of India and served as the Governor of Bihar from 1957 to 1962. He was the Vice President of India from 1962 to 1967 and the third president of India from 1967 to 1969. Moreover, from 1948 to 1956, at Aligarh Muslim University, he was the Vice-Chancellor.

13. Pandurang Vaman Kane - 1963

Apart from Zakir Hussain, Pandurang Vaman Kane was also given the Bharat Ratna in 1963. He was a well-known Sanskrit scholar, lawyer, and Indologist. He wrote the 5-volume book History of Dharmashastra. It took about 40 years to complete this book, and it's about 6,500 pages.

14. Lal Bahadur Shastri - 1966

After 1963, the Bharat Ratna award was given directly in the year 1966. In 1966, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was an independent activist and politician, and also he was the first person to be given Bharat Ratna posthumously. Moreover, from 1964 to 1966, he was also the second prime minister of India.

15. Indira Gandhi -1971

After 1966, the Bharat Ratna award was given directly in the year 1971 to Indira Gandhi. Indira Gandhi was the country's first woman to be given the Bharat Ratna. She was also India's first female prime minister. She was Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1984. Moreover, in 1971, when she was given the Bharat Ratna, she was also the Prime Minister of India. Apart from Indira Gandhi, no woman has ever served as Prime Minister of India.

16. V. V. Giri - 1975

After 1971, the Bharat Ratna award was given directly in the year 1975. In 1975, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Varahagiri Venkata Giri. He was a politician and activist. He has been both the President and Vice President of India. He was the third Vice President of India from 1967 to 1969 and the fourth president of India from 1969 to 1974. He also served as the Governor of Kerala, Mysore, and Uttar Pradesh.

17. K. Kamaraj - 1976

In 1976, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Kumaraswami Kamaraj, and after Shastri Ji, he was the second person who awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously. He was an independent activist and politician. From 1954 to 1963, he was Chief Minister of Madras, today Tamil Nadu. He is also known as the King Maker in Indian Politics. He was the founder of a political party named the Indian National Congress (Organisation).

18. Mother Teresa - 1980

Mother Teresa was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1980; her full name is Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu. She was a resident of North Macedonia but later took citizenship in India. Before being awarded the Bharat Ratna, Mother Teresa was honored with awards such as the Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1962 and 1979. Mother Teresa used to work for people battling dangerous diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. She was the founder of Missionaries of Charity, and due to her great works, she has been honored with many big awards.

19. Vinoba Bhave - 1983

In 1983, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Vinoba Bhave, also known as Vinayak Narahari. He was an Independence activist, lawyer, and social reformer. He was considered the closest associate of Mahatma Gandhi, and he is well known for the Bhoodan Movement. He has also been given the title of "Acharya," which means teacher. He has also been honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1958.

20. Abdul Ghaffar Khan - 1987

In 1987, Abdul Ghaffar Khan, also known as Badshah Khan and Frontier Gandhi", was awarded the Bharat Ratna. He was an Independence Activist and Politician. He was one of the biggest followers of Gandhi, and also, he was the first person who was not a citizen of India and was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

21. M. G. Ramachandran - 1988

In 1988, only one person was awarded the Bharat Ratna, and he was Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran, also known as "Puratchi Thalaivar" and M.G.R. He was a philanthropist, filmmaker, actor, and politician. He was also the chief minister from the year 1977 to the year 1987 of Tamil Nadu. He was the founder of a political party named AIADMK. He was the first actor in the country who became the Chief Minister of state after leaving his acting career. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.

22. B. R. Ambedkar - 1990

In 1990, two people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. He was a Dalit leader, economist, and jurist. He was the first Law and Justice Minister of India and the chairman of the Indian constitution's drafting committee. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.

23. Nelson Mandela - 1990

Nelson Mandela was the second foreigner after Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990. In 1993, he was also given the Nobel Peace Prize. He was South Africa's first president, also known as South Africa's Gandhi.

24. Rajiv Gandhi -1991

In 1991, three people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Rajiv Ratna Gandhi. From 1984 to 1989, he served as India's sixth prime minister, and he became the Prime Minister of the country at the age of only 40; he was the youngest ever Prime Minister in the history of India. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

25. Vallabhbhai Patel - 1991

Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, was also awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991. He was a barrister, politician, and independence activist. Moreover, he also served the country from 1947 to 1950 as the first deputy Prime Minister of India.

26. Morarji Desai - 1991

The third person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991 was Morarji Desai. His full name is Morarji Ranchhodji Desai, and he was a politician and independence activist. From 1977 to 1979, as India's fourth prime minister, he served the country. He is the only citizen of India to be awarded the highest civilian award in Pakistan (Nishan-e-Pakistan) by the Government of Pakistan.

27. Abul Kalam Azad - 1992

In 1992, three people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Abul Kalam Azad, also known as Maulana Azad. He was a writer, independence activist, politician, and Islamic theologian. Moreover, he was also India's first education minister. He did a lot of work to make primary education free, and on his birthday, National Education Day is celebrated in India on 11 November. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

28. J. R. D. Tata - 1992

Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata was also awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992. He was a famous industrialist, aviation pioneer, and philanthropist. Tata Salt, Air India, Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, and many more institutes were founded by J. R. D. Tata.

29. Satyajit Ray - 1992

The third person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991 was Satyajit Ray. He was a calligrapher, filmmaker, lyricist, music composer, screenwriter, and author. He was also awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award and Academy Honorary Award in 1984 and 1991. He is considered the best director in the history of India.

30. Gulzarilal Nanda - 1997

In 1997, after the year 1992, three people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Gulzarilal Nanda. He was an economist, politician, and independence activist and served the country as the Interim Prime Minister of India. He is considered a very honest leader.

31. Aruna Asaf Ali - 1997

In 1997, Aruna Asaf Ali was also a person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna. She was a publisher, independence activist, educator, and political activist. She hoisted the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank maidan in Bombay during the Quit India Movement, and she was also the first Mayor of Delhi. She was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

32. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam - 1997

The third person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1991 was A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. His full name is Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. He was an Aerospace scientist. Moreover, he also served the country from 2002 to 2007 as the 11th president of India.

33. M. S. Subbulakshmi - 1998

In 1992, two people were also awarded Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi. She was a Carnatic classical vocalist. She was the first-ever musician to receive the Bharat Ratna Award, and in 1974, she also became the first Indian musician to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award. Moreover, in 1966 at United Nations General Assembly, she also was the first Indian to perform.

34. Chidambaram Subramaniam - 1998

Apart from M. S. Subbulakshmi, Chidambaram Subramaniam was also given the Bharat Ratna in 1992. He was an independence activist and politician. He has also been the Finance Minister, Food and Agriculture Minister, and Defense Minister of India. He is considered a major contributor to India's Green Revolution, and due to this contribution, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

35. Jayaprakash Narayan - 1999

In the year 1999, four people were awarded the Bharat Ratna in the history of India, and one of them was Jayaprakash Narayan. Jayaprakash Narayan is known for the "JP Movement" and "Total Revolution Movement". He was a social reformer, independence activist, theorist, and political leader. He is also known as "Loknayak". Apart from Bharat Ratna, he was also honored with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1965. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

36. Amartya Sen - 1999

Amartya Kumar Sen was the second person who was awarded Bharat Ratna in the year 1999. He was also awarded Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1998. He is a philosopher and economist. He has researched many topics like ethics, welfare economics, development economics, gender studies, etc.

37. Gopinath Bordoloi - 1999

Well-known politician and independence activist Gopinath Bordoloi was also awarded Bharat Ratna in 1999. He was also Assam's first Chief Minister. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

38. Ravi Shankar - 1999

The last person awarded Bharat Ratna in 1999 was Ravi Shankar. He was a very well-known composer and sitarist. Ravi Shankar has also won four Grammy Awards, which is a big deal. He has influenced many musicians in his life.

39. Lata Mangeshkar - 2001

In 2001, two people were awarded the Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Lata Mangeshkar. She was a singer and music composer. She is considered one of the greatest singers in the history of India. She is also known as "Voice of the Millennium", "Queen of Melody," and "Nightingale of India". She was also awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1989.

40. Bismillah Khan- 2001

In 2001, Bismillah Khan was also a person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously. He was a classical musician and one of the greatest shehnai players in Indian history. He has been given the title of Ustad. He was the third classical musician of India who was awarded the Bharat Ratna.

41. Bhimsen Joshi - 2009

In 2009 only one person was awarded Bharat Ratana, and he was Bhimsen Joshi. Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi is one of the greatest vocalists in the history of India.

42. C. N. R. Rao - 2014

In 2014, two people were awarded Bharat Ratna, and one of them was Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao. He is a well-known chemist. Solid State, Spectroscopy, and Materials Chemistry are some filed in which C. N. R. Rao do mainly his work. He has written more than 50 books and has published more than 1500 research papers. He has won many awards due to his profession.

43. Sachin Tendulkar - 2014

In 2014, Sachin Tendulkar, who is called the God of cricket, was also awarded the Bharat Ratna. Sachin Tendulkar was honored with this award at the age of 40, and due to this, he is the youngest person to receive Bharat Ratna to date. He has also been honored with the Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award.

44. Madan Mohan Malaviya - 2015

Madan Mohan Malaviya was awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously in the year 2015. He was a Scholar, politician, and educational reformer. He played a very important role in the independence of India. He also founds Banaras Hindu University and Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha. Moreover, he served as a president four times in Indian National Congress.

45. Atal Bihari Vajpayee - 2015

Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the second person awarded Bharat Ratna in 2015. He was a politician who served as Prime Minister of India three times. He was a co-founder of one of India's greatest political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party, and he is also regarded as one of India's greatest National Leaders.

46. Pranab Mukherjee - 2019

The year 2019 was the last time that Bharat Ratna was awarded to three people, and after 2019 no one was awarded Bharat Ratna to date (April 2022). The first person who was awarded Bharat Ratna in 2019 was Pranab Mukherjee. He was a politician who served as President of India and Finance Minister of India.

47. Bhupen Hazarika - 2019

In 2019, Bhupen Hazarika was also a person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna. He was a well-known singer, filmmaker, musician, and actor. Most of his songs are based on the universal justice, empathy, and communal amity themes. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.

48. Nanaji Deshmukh - 2019

The last person who was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019 was Chandikadas Amritrao Deshmukh. He was a politician and social reformer, more famous as name Nanaji Deshmukh. He did most of his work in health, rural self-reliance, and education, and he was also a Rajya Sabha member.