Which of the following is recognised as the highest civilian award of India?

Introduction / Context:
This is a fundamental static general knowledge question about Indian awards and honours. It asks you to identify the highest civilian award of India from among the listed options. Knowledge of this basic hierarchy is crucial for almost every competitive exam, as questions on national awards appear frequently.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The focus is on civilian awards of India.
• The options are Padma Bhushan, Param Vir Chakra, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna, and Padma Shri.
• You must recognise which award stands at the top of the civilian honours hierarchy.

Concept / Approach:
The hierarchy of major Indian civilian awards places Bharat Ratna at the top, followed by Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. Param Vir Chakra is not a civilian award; it is the highest military decoration for gallantry in the presence of the enemy. Therefore, the correct answer must be Bharat Ratna, which is clearly stated in official documents as the highest civilian honour of India.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the main civilian awards of India: Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.Step 2: Remember the order of precedence: Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award, followed in descending order by Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.Step 3: Note that Param Vir Chakra, although very prestigious, is a military gallantry award, not a civilian award.Step 4: Compare each option with this hierarchy. Only Bharat Ratna fits the description of the highest civilian award of India.Step 5: Select Bharat Ratna as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this information from official government sources and reliable reference sites on Indian orders, decorations, and medals. They consistently describe Bharat Ratna as the highest civilian award of India, conferred for exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour. The descriptions of Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri explicitly place them below Bharat Ratna, which confirms the hierarchy.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Padma Bhushan: A high civilian award given for distinguished service of a high order, but it ranks below Padma Vibhushan and far below Bharat Ratna.
• Param Vir Chakra: The highest wartime gallantry award for military personnel, not a civilian award, so it does not answer the question.
• Padma Vibhushan: The second highest civilian award of India for exceptional and distinguished service, but still below Bharat Ratna.
• Padma Shri: The fourth highest civilian award, given for distinguished service, and therefore definitely not the highest civilian honour.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students mix up civilian awards with military gallantry decorations and may mistakenly think that Param Vir Chakra is the highest award in all categories. Others confuse the relative positions of the three Padma awards. Remember that when a question specifically asks for the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna is the only correct answer.

Final Answer:
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award of India, so option D is correct.