An honorary award is given to someone to recognize his or her performance and value to the organization. Honorary awards are generally symbolic.

In India, great acts of valor, social services, and contribution in respective fields have never gone unnoticed. The Republic of India has instituted numerous achievement awards to acknowledge them in the best way possible.

The Ashoka Chakra:

The Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration award given by Indian government for actions of courage and self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, other than in the face of the enemy. It can be awarded to military personnel, civilians and can be awarded posthumously.

Here's list of some of the highest honorary awards given by India:-

Originally established in 4 January 1952, it replaced the British George Cross. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra award. Recipients may receive, 'Kirti Chakra' and 'Shaurya Chakra' for other acts of gallantry. Recipients receive a monthly stipend of 1400.

The obverse is 1-3/8 inches in diameter, gold-gilded. The center holds the wheel of Ashoka, with wreath of lotus around it. The award is named on the edge. The ribbon is 32mm wide, colored dark green with a 2mm saffron stripe.

The Arjuna Award:

The Arjuna Award is the highest, most prestigious award given by the Government of India for outstanding achievement in the field of sports. Instituted in 1961, the award is given by The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The awardee is given a bronze statue of 'Arjuna', a scroll, and 500,000.

The Padma Shri:

This is the 4th highest civilian award, awarded by the Government of India for contribution in the field of Arts, Education, Sports, Science, Social Service and various other spheres. It may be awarded to individuals not of Indian origin; however, have contributed to India. Recipients' names are announced every year on India's Republic Day. All Padma Awards were instituted in 1954.

The obverse has the words 'Padma' and 'Shri' in Devanagari, over and under the five-petal lotus flower. The embossing is in white gold; the geographical pattern is in burnished bronze.

The Padma Bhushan:

This is the 3rd highest civilian award. It's given by the President of India at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The award was suspended for a short period from 13th July to 26th January 1980.

The obverse has the words 'Padma' and 'Bhushan' in Devanagari, over and under the six-petal lotus flower. It's bronze-polished with embossing in white gold.

The Padma Vibhushan:

This is the 2nd highest civilian award given in India. It is awarded by the President of India. The award was suspended between 1977 and 1980. The criteria also include service rendered by Government servants; however, excluding the Public sector undertakings as well as exception of doctors and scientists.

The Param Vir Chakra:

The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration award, given for self-sacrifice in the presence of enemy. It is the second highest award of the Government of India, after the Bharat Ratna. It replaced the British Victoria Cross. Till now, only twenty one military personnel have received the award, out of which, fourteen were awarded posthumously. The award means 'Bravest of the Brave', literally 'Wheel of the Ultimate Brave.'

The Bharat Ratna:

The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of the Republic of India. It literally translates to the 'Gem of India'. Awarded for exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavor. The Prime Minister of India recommends to the President. The awardee receives a certificate from president, a peepal-leaf-shaped medallion with 'Bharat Ratna' written on it in Devanagari. The awarding was suspended from July 13, 1977 to January 26, 1980 and has been awarded to forty persons till today.

Indian honorary awards are not limited to the aforementioned list. Other awards such as: 'Gandhi Peace Prize', 'Pravasi Bharatiya Samman', 'Dadasaheb Phalke Award', 'Maha Vir Chakra', 'Vir Chakra', and many others. Since ancient times, awards and trophies in any form has been the prime motivation for humans behind their actions. In today's corporate culture, employee recognition awards have proven to be a major factor behind productivity. Similarly, cultural event awards, customized sports trophies and others play a pivotal role in their sphere of action.

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