"Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award, awarded for the highest degrees of national service. This service includes artistic, literary, and scientific achievements, as well as "recognition of public service of the highest order." Unlike knights, holders of the Bharat Ratna carry no special title nor any other honorifics, but they do have a place in the order of precedence. Bharat Ratna roughly translates as 'Gem of India'."

1963: Dr. Zakir Hussain

1992: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
1997: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

2001: Bismillah Khan