Independence Award may be conferred again after 25 years for special contribution

The government has decided that any individual or organisation making exceptional contributions in a specific field may receive the Independence Award for a second time after a minimum interval of 25 years. To this effect, the guidelines regarding the Independence Award have been amended.

The amendment was communicated in a letter sent to senior secretaries and secretaries of all ministries by the Cabinet Division on Sunday, March 8.

According to the new decision, if an individual or organisation previously awarded the Independence Award makes significant contributions in another field, they may be considered for the award again after a minimum of 25 years. For this purpose, paragraph 7.11 of the Independence Award guidelines has been amended.

The letter states that generally, an individual or organisation that has received the Independence Award will not be considered again for the Independence Award or any other national-level award. However, if that individual or organisation makes special contributions in another field, they may be considered for the Independence Award again after at least 25 years.

The previous directive stated that an individual or organisation that has received the Independence Award would not be considered again for the Independence Award or any other national-level award.

It is noteworthy that the matter of awarding a second time came into discussion after the name of Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury appeared in the list of nominees for the 2026 Independence Award for posthumous award. He had previously received the Independence Award in 1977. This year, a total of 15 individuals and five organisations are being conferred the country's highest civilian honour, including him.