Orders, decorations, and medals of Bangladesh


The existing Bangladeshi honours system was created after Independence of Bangladesh. The highest civilian honours are the Independence Award and Ekushey Padak. They are awarded every year. The awards are civilian awards for a broad set of achievements in fields such as Education, Arts, Civil Service, or Social Service and Liberation War. Awards were also bestowed posthumously and they are not given for foreign citizens.
The most recognized and respected gallantry awards are the Bir awards which are Bir Sreshtho, Bir Uttom, Bir Bikrom and Bir Protik in decreasing order of importance. They are awarded to freedom fighters who showed utmost bravery and fought against the Pakistan Army in the Bangladesh Liberation War. All of these awards were introduced immediately after the Liberation War in 1971.
The 'Nakeeb Padak' has been awarded since 2021 for the contribution to Bengali literature.

Civil decorations

General awards

Independence Award; the highest civilian awardEkushey Padak; the second-highest civilian award

Literature awards

Bangla Academy Award, for contribution in the field of Bengali language and literature.Shishu Academy Award, for contribution in the field of juvenile literature.

Particular awards

National Professor; for outstanding contribution on the field of education.Shilpakala Padak; for contributions to the fields of Bangladeshi arts, theater, music, dance, instrumental music, folk music and film.Begum Rokeya Padak; for contribution to Gender equality and Women's rights.National Agriculture Awards; given to recognise a substantial contribution in the field of research in agricultural development.National Film Awards; for notable contributions to the promotion of the art of cinema.National Sports Awards (Bangladesh); for specific contributions in the field of games and sports.National Family Planning AwardsNational Child AwardNational Youth AwardsNational Cooperative AwardPresident's Award for Industrial DevelopmentNational Environment Award
  • '''Public Administration Award'''

Military decorations

The following are the various gallantry, service and war medals of the Bangladesh Armed Forces.

Wartime gallantry awards

Bir Sreshtho-, the highest gallantry award Bir Uttom-, the second highest gallantry award Bir Bikrom-, the third highest gallantry award Bir Protik-, the fourth highest gallantry award

Peacetime gallantry awards

Bir Sorbottam-, the highest gallantry award Bir Mrittunjoee-, the second highest gallantry award Bir Chiranjib-, the third highest gallantry award Bir Durjoy-, the fourth highest gallantry award

Army service medals

  • Army Medal সেনাবাহিনী পদক
  • Extraordinary Service Medal
  • Distinguished Service Medal
  • Army Medal of Glory সেনা গৌরব পদক
  • Army Medal of Excellence সেনা উৎকর্ষ পদক
  • Army Efficiency Medal সেনা পারদর্শিতা পদক

Long service awards

Jestha Padak I Jestha Padak II
  • '''Jestha Padak III '''

Special decorations (for non-nationals)

Bangladesh Freedom Honour -; the highest award for foreigners or non nationals,Bangladesh Liberation War Honour -; the second highest award for foreigners or non nationalsFriends of Liberation War Honour -; the third highest award for foreigners or non nationals

Police medals

Police medals are awarded every year in the annual Police Week Parade. They are awarded both for bravery and service. Bangladesh Police Medal (Bravery) Bangladesh Police Medal President Police Medal
  • ''' President Police Medal '''

Border Guard medals

Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Bravery) President Border Guard Padak (Bravery)Border Guard Bangladesh Padak (Service)President Border Guard Padak (Service) Bi-Centennial Padak

Ansar and VDP medals

Bangladesh Ansar Medal Bangladesh Ansar Medal President Ansar Medal President Ansar Medal Bangladesh VDP Medal Bangladesh VDP Medal
  • ''' President VDP Medal '''