Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award which is awarded to people for their exceptional service in any field without distinction of caste, occupation, rank or status.
The award is designed in the shape of a peepal leaf with 'Bharat Ratna' written on it, inscribed under a sunburst figure in Devanagari script.
The award was started by former President Dr. Rajendra Prasad on January 2, 1954
The youngest Bharat Ratna awardee and the first player to win the award was Sachin Tendulkar in 2014
Bharat Ratna can also be given to non-Indians. Mother Teresa was honored with this award in 1980.
A maximum of three Bharat Ratnas can be awarded each year. It was awarded only once in 1999 to four people in a single year.