UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2021

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?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer

Correct Answer

1, 2 and 3

Explanation

Article 18(1) abolishes titles, and the Supreme Court has held that Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not 'titles' (statement 1 is wrong). The Padma awards were suspended twice, in 1978-79 and 1993-97 (statement 2 is wrong), and Bharat Ratna is limited to a maximum of three per year (statement 3 is wrong). All three statements are incorrect.

Topics: abolition of titles (article 18), bharat ratna and padma awards, constitutional provisions, polity & governance