Rashtrapati Awards are given by the President of India

President of India

The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...

, in some cases the prime Minister

Prime minister

A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...

 of India, for achievements in the field of Sports, Art, Military, Literature, Cinema, Culture, Science & Technology etc. The award-giving ceremony is conducted in the Rashtrapati Bhavan

Rashtrapati Bhavan

The Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina hill in New Delhi, India. Until 1950 it was known as "Viceroy's House" and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India...

 - the President's official residence. The Award is a part of the Indian honours system

Indian honours system

The Indian honour system is primarily recognized by Indian Central Government. The most recognized are Padma awards which are Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna with increasing order of merit. They are awarded every year. However, the most coveted and highest civilian award...

. However, after gradual systematic categorizations over a period of time, the awards were made independent to the field of Achievement.

For example, from 1968, the Directorate of Film Festivals

Directorate of Film Festivals

The Directorate of Film Festivals in India is an organization that initiates and presents the most prestigious film ceremonies in India. These are the International Film Festival of India, the National Film Awards and the Indian Panorama...

 completely took over, its charge as the governing body for National Film Awards

National Film Awards

The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...

 India. Before 1968, the award in the field of best acting in Indian Cinema was given out as Rashtrapati Award. Other examples are, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna is India’s highest honour given for achievement in sports. The words "Khel Ratna" literally mean "Sports Gem" in Hindi. The award is named after the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. It carries a medal, a scroll of honour and a substantial cash...

, National Bravery Award

National Bravery Award

National Bravery Award for Indian Children is given each year by Government of India and Indian Council for Child Welfare , to Indian children for meritorious acts of bravery against all odds.The award is given to around 24 children below the age of 16...

, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, Jnanpith Award

Jnanpith Award

The Jnanpith Award is a literary award in India. Along with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, it is one of the two most prestigious literary honours in the country...

, "Maharishi Badrayan Vyas Samman" (a Presidential Honour for young scholars below age 40 who have worked to bridge the ancient and the modern especially using IT) etc.