Awards and Honours play an important role in the Static General Knowledge section of the AFCAT 1 2026 Exam. They not only reflect achievements in various fields such as literature, science, sports, and public service but also highlight India’s contribution to national and global excellence. Let’s look at the major national and international awards and recent award winners (2024–25) that are important for the exam.
AFCAT 1 2026 Exam Static GK – Awards & Honours
1. Major National Awards of India
a) Bharat Ratna
- About: India’s highest civilian award, given for exceptional service in any field of human endeavor.
- Instituted: 1954
- Shape: Peepal leaf design
- Recent Awardees (2024):
- Lal Krishna Advani – Former Deputy Prime Minister of India
- Karpoori Thakur – Former Chief Minister of Bihar (Posthumous)
b) Padma Awards
- About: These are the second-highest civilian awards after Bharat Ratna, divided into three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
- Instituted: 1954
- Awarded By: President of India on Republic Day
Padma Award Highlights (2024):
- Padma Vibhushan:
- Vyjayantimala (Art)
- Koneru Humpy (Sports)
- Padma Bhushan:
- Mithun Chakraborty (Art)
- Usha Uthup (Art)
- Padma Shri:
- Ratan Chandra Kar (Medicine)
- Deepa Malik (Sports)
c) Gallantry Awards
- Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest wartime gallantry award.
- Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra (VrC): For bravery in the presence of the enemy.
- Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra: For gallantry in peacetime.
Important Fact: The first Param Vir Chakra was awarded to Major Somnath Sharma (Posthumously, 1947–48 Indo-Pak War).
2. National Awards in Other Fields
| Field | Award Name | Key Recipient (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Literature | Jnanpith Award | Gulzar (Urdu Poet & Lyricist) |
| Cinema | Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Waheeda Rehman (2023) |
| Sports | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award | Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw) |
| Environment | Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar | Isha Foundation |
| Science & Technology | Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | Multiple scientists in Physics, Chemistry & Biology (2024) |
| Social Work | Ramon Magsaysay Award (International) | Medha Patkar (India, 2024) |
3. International Awards
| Award | Field | Recent Indian/Global Winner (2024–25) |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize | Peace, Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Economics | Nobel Peace Prize 2024: Narges Mohammadi (Iran) |
| Booker Prize | Literature | Paul Lynch for Prophet Song (2024) |
| Pulitzer Prize | Journalism & Arts | Indian-origin photographer Aman Sethi (2024) |
| Oscar Awards (Academy Awards) | Cinema | Best Picture 2024: Oppenheimer |
| UNESCO Peace Prize | Global Peace Efforts | Colombian Peace Initiative (2024) |
4. Defence-Related Awards
| Award | Given For | Recent Recipient (2024–25) |
|---|---|---|
| Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) | Distinguished service of exceptional order | Senior Defence Officers |
| Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) | Exceptional service in peacetime | Various Armed Forces Officers |
| Sena Medal / Nao Sena Medal / Vayu Sena Medal | Individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty | Gallantry Personnel |
5. Sports Awards of India
| Award | Category | Recent Recipient (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Khel Ratna Award | Highest sports honour | Neeraj Chopra |
| Arjuna Award | Outstanding performance in sports | Nikhat Zareen (Boxing) |
| Dronacharya Award | Coaching excellence | Radhakrishnan Nair (Athletics) |
| Dhyan Chand Award | Lifetime achievement in sports | Anju Bobby George |
6. Key Points for AFCAT 1 2026 Static GK
- Bharat Ratna – Highest civilian award.
- Param Vir Chakra – Highest military gallantry award.
- Padma Awards – Announced every year on Republic Day.
- Jnanpith Award – Highest literary award in India.
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award – Highest film award in India.
- Nobel Prize – Highest international award for contribution in six categories.
