Raj Ratna
| Raj Ratna (Gem of the Nation) राज रत्न | |
|---|---|
| Type | Highest civilian honorific |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 19 July 2021 6 August 2023 (major changes) |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | National Hero of Vishwamitra |
| Next (lower) | Raj Vibhushan |
Raj Ratna (Hindi: राज रत्न) meaning Gem of the Nation is the highest civilian honorific title of Vishwamitra which is bestowed on an individual for "exceptional service/performance of the highest order" without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The title is conferrable on former prime ministers, distinguished dignitaries of high esteem at the sole pleasure and discretion of the sovereign. The title-holders shall be entitled to the style of address as "The Most Honourable" and receive a position immediately after a former prime minister in the order of precedence.
An individual who has rendered high service to the nation for a period more than two years shall be eligible for the title. The total number of appointments as Raj Ratna shall be limited to ten individuals in a year. Members of the royal families can also be appointed as title-holders and shall be counted as extranumerary individuals. The title can also be conferred on foreign nationals only in an exceptional case and shall be considered as supernumerary appointees.
Background
The title was first created in the form of the Friends Society Ratna which was the highest civilian decoration of Friends Society from 2015 until 2019. The title was reconstituted on 19 July 2021 by Rashtradhyaksh Varuna Sriraya through ROYAL DECREE No. - 193/2021: in order to recognize the highest and significant contributions made by individuals towards the nation. The title of Raj Ratna was created along with the title of Raj Bhushan and was only outranked by the title of a National Hero. At the time of its constitution, the title was bestowed only upon non-royals and foreigners, in an exceptional capacity. Members of the royal families were forbidden from becoming a title-holder.
On 6 August 2023, the national peerage was abolished by the Rashtradhyaksh and a three-tier honorific system was introduced through a gazette notification. Under the changes initiated, the title of Raj Ratna was re-designated as the highest civilian honorific title in the nation and is to bestowed upon an individual for "exceptional service/performance of the highest order" without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex. The title is conferrable on former prime ministers, distinguished dignitaries of high esteem at the sole pleasure and discretion of the sovereign and all title-holders are to be entitled to the style of address as "The Most Honourable" and receive a position immediately after a former prime minister in the order of precedence.
All the title-holders are entitled to use the title as a prefix before their names and the honorific styles of the various orders of chivalry.
Privileges
All recipients of the title of Raj Ratna are entitled to bear special perks and privileges. They are entitled to bear the style of address of The Most Honourable and are assigned the rank immediately below a former prime minister in the order of precedence.
In a separate notification issued by the Chief Herald Arthur Lacey-Scott-FitzLacia on 6 August 2023, all title-holders of Raj Ratna are to be entitled to use the heraldic ducal coronet which was formerly used by a duke or duchess in the nobility.
Title-holders
First creation (2021–2023)
The title of Raj Ratna had been granted on seven distinguished individual following its first constitution in 2021. The title-holders were deprived of the title upon its re-designation in 2023.
- 19 July 2021: Ștefan Marius Snagoveanu, (then) Prime Minister
- 11 January 2022: Farhaz Hazarika, Prime Minister
- 11 January 2022: Chris Ramsay, former President of Privy Council
- 11 January 2022: Michal Nowacki, former Deputy Prime Minister
- 11 January 2022: Rory Leonard, former Deputy Prime Minister
- 1 August 2022: Jayden Dagsa, former President of Privy Council
- 1 August 2022: Phillip Joseph Pillin, former Prime Minister
Second creation (2023–present)
Four distinguished individuals were appointed as Raj Ratnas upon the title's re-designation on 6 August 2023.
- 6 August 2023: Farhaz Hazarika, Prime Minister
- 6 August 2023: Klarissa, Crown Princess of Purvanchal, Deputy Prime Minister
- 6 August 2023: Ștefan Marius Snagoveanu, former Prime Minister
- 6 August 2023: Phillip Joseph Pillin, former Prime Minister