Sardar Patel National Unity Award

About Sardar Patel National Unity Award

• Sardar Patel National Unity Award is an award to recognize citizens, institutions and organisations that have made exceptional contributions towards promoting India’s unity and integrity.
• Instituted Year: It has been instituted in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in September 2019.
• It will be considered the highest civilian award in India in the field of contribution to the unity and integrity of India.
• Frequency of award: It will be announced annually on the occasion of the National Unity Day which is the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel on 31st October.
• Eligibility: The candidate “should have made outstanding efforts and notable contribution to promote and further the cause of national unity and integrity in a manner that may serve as an inspiration to others, and reinforce the value of a strong and united India”.
• Award Committee: An award committee would be constituted by the Prime Minister which would include members– 
  • Cabinet Secretary
  • Principal Secretary to the PM
  • Secretary to the President
  • Home Secretary
  • Three-four eminent persons
• Conferred by: It is conferred by President of India. 
• Prizes: The award is set to comprise a medal and a citation, but no monetary grant or cash award would be attached to it. 
  • The medal will be in the form of a lotus leaf, made of gold and silver, with Patel’s portrait embossed on one side and the national emblem on the other.
• It would not be conferred posthumously, except in very rare and highly deserving cases.
• Further, not more than three Awards would be given in a year.
• About Sardar Patel National Unity Award 2026:
  • The first Sardar Patel National Unity Award is set to be announced on October 31 this year.
  • It will be considered equivalent to the Padma Vibhushan.
  • There may be two or three recipients this time.