Renowned singer Usha Mangeshkar has been selected for the inaugural Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award, instituted by the Assam Government to recognise outstanding contributions to music and culture at the national level.

Key Facts

• Award recipient: Usha Mangeshkar has been selected for her contribution to Indian music and her association with the musical works of Dr Bhupen Hazarika.
• Award components: The award carries a cash prize of ₹10 lakh and a citation.
• Frequency: It will be conferred once every three years on an internationally or nationally recognised personality from music, arts or cinema.
• Presentation: The inaugural award will be presented at the concluding ceremony of Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s birth centenary in New Delhi on November 29, 2026.

Other Cabinet Decision

• The Assam Cabinet also approved an increase in the cash prize for the prestigious Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Award from its earlier amount to ₹15 lakh.

Exam Hook – Key Takeaway: The Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika Award is a triennial national-level recognition instituted by the Assam Government for outstanding contributions to music, arts and cinema.