Question 1

In which year was the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, instituted?

Accepted Answer

1954. The Bharat Ratna was established by the President of India on 2 January 1954. Initially, the statutes did not allow for posthumous awards, but this was amended in 1955. It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order.

Question 2

The Bharat Ratna award is shaped like the leaf of which tree?

Accepted Answer

Peepal. The award is designed as a peepal leaf made of toned bronze. The sun's image is embossed on the front side with the words 'Bharat Ratna' in Devanagari script. The reverse side features the State Emblem of India and the national motto.

Question 3

Who was the first person to be honored with the Bharat Ratna award posthumously?

Accepted Answer

Lal Bahadur Shastri. Lal Bahadur Shastri was given the award in 1966 after his sudden demise in Tashkent. He served as the second Prime Minister of independent India and coined the slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan'. Since the 1955 amendment, several individuals have received this honor after their death.

Question 4

Who among the following was the first scientist to receive the Bharat Ratna?

Accepted Answer

C.V. Raman. C.V. Raman was among the first three recipients of the award in 1954. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light. His discovery is celebrated annually in India as National Science Day.

Question 5

Which non-citizen of India was the first to be awarded the Bharat Ratna?

Accepted Answer

Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, popularly known as Frontier Gandhi, received the award in 1987. He was a Pashtun leader and a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. He is the first person who was not a citizen of the Republic of India to receive this honor.

Bharat Ratna — Set 1