Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards : 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. Which of the above statements are not correct?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3 ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• The question asks which statements are NOT correct.
• Statement 1 is not correct: in Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1995) the Supreme Court held that Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not 'titles' under Article 18(1), though they must not be used as prefixes or suffixes.
• Statement 2 is not correct: the Padma awards were suspended twice — in 1978–79 (Janata Government) and 1993–97.
• Statement 3 is not correct: Bharat Ratna is restricted to a maximum of three in a year, not five (2024 saw five as an exception announced by the government).
• Hence all three are not correct, option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- Statement 3 is also incorrect: the limit is three, not five.
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- Statement 1 is also incorrect: the awards are not titles per Balaji Raghavan.
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- Statement 2 is also incorrect: Padma awards were suspended twice.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.