Regarding the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards, consider the following statements: 1. In the Balaji Raghavan case (1995), the Supreme Court ruled that these awards do not constitute "titles" under Article 18(1) of the Indian Constitution. 2. Since their inception in 1954, these awards have been suspended twice. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna awards is restricted to a maximum of three in any particular year. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Fundamental Rights — question ID 502
Options
A.
B.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: In the Balaji Raghavan case (1995), the Supreme Court of India upheld the validity of the National Awards but ruled that they are not 'titles' within the meaning of Article 18(1). Statement 2 is correct: These awards, instituted in 1954, were suspended twice—first during 1978-1979 and second during 1993-1997. Statement 3 is correct: The maximum number of Bharat Ratna awards that can be conferred in any single year is limited to three.