Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the Bharat Ratna, which is the highest civilian award in the country, will be conferred upon the former Prime Ministers: PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, along with the agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan. PM Modi had lauded their contributions made to the country while announcing the awards on X (formerly Twitter). The Bharat Ratna is awarded in recognition of outstanding service of the highest order in any field, without the distinction of race, occupation, or gender.