Usha Mangeshkar to Receive Inaugural Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award
Veteran playback singer Usha Mangeshkar has been selected as the first recipient of the newly instituted Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award. Instituted by the Assam Government, the biennial or triennial award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and honours outstanding contributions to music, arts, and cinema.
What happened
Veteran Indian playback singer Usha Mangeshkar has been chosen for the inaugural Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award. The award was instituted by the Assam Government to honour outstanding contributions to music, arts, and cinema while preserving the creative legacy of the legendary Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a formal citation. It is scheduled to be presented on November 29, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The presentation ceremony marks the concluding event of the year-long birth centenary celebrations of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Important dates
| Award Announcement Date | 23 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Award Presentation Ceremony | 29 November 2026 |
Eligibility
- Conferred on nationally or internationally recognised figures in music, arts, or cinema including singing, composing, lyric writing, film directing, and acting.
📌 Static GK links
- Award instituted by: Assam Government
- Award Frequency: Every three years
- Cash Prize: ₹10 lakh
- Dr Bhupen Hazarika received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 2019.
What candidates should do
- Note down the name of the inaugural recipient, the instituting state government, and the cash prize amount for current affairs revision in upcoming banking, SSC, and state civil services exams.
PrepZen analysis
The institution of the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award by the Assam Government marks a significant step in institutionalizing national recognition for arts and culture. For aspirants preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, Banking, and State PSCs, questions from this topic are likely to focus on the first recipient, award frequency, cash prize, and the organizing state government.
Practice questions
Q1. Who has been selected as the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
Q2. Which state government instituted the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
Q3. What is the cash prize associated with the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
Award instituted by Assam Government.
Honours contributions to music, arts, cinema.
Preserves legacy of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
Award given every three years.
🎯 Key Point: Usha Mangeshkar is first recipient of Bhupen Hazarika National Award.
FAQs
Who is the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
Veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar is the first recipient of the award.
Which government instituted this award?
The award was instituted by the Assam Government.
What is the frequency of the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award?
The award is given every three years.
What is the cash prize for this award?
The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
When is the award scheduled to be presented?
The award is scheduled to be presented on November 29, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
Sources and references
- thehindu.com (www.thehindu.com)
- gktoday.in (www.gktoday.in)
- rediff.com (m.rediff.com)
- adda247.com (currentaffairs.adda247.com)
Prepared by PrepZen for exam preparation. Consult the linked sources for original announcements and current details. Corrections policy. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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