The Bharat Ratna award was suspended during the years _____ due to legal challenges.
- 1977-1980
- 1992-1997
- 2001-2005
- Never suspended
Answer: 1992-1997
The Bharat Ratna (along with Padma Awards) was suspended from 1992 to 1997 following public interest litigations challenging the awards as violative of Article 18 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court upheld their validity in 1995, and awards resumed in 1997.