The Bharat Ratna (Jewel of India) is the highest civilian award of India. Instituted in 1954, the award is conferred “in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order”, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The recommendations for the Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister himself to the President, with a maximum of three nominees being awarded per year . No formal recommendations for this are necessary. Recipients receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a peepal-leaf–shaped medallion; there is no monetary grant associated with the award. Bharat Ratna recipients rank 7th in the Indian order of precedence.
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