Mr Vajpayee, 90, a three-time prime minister, is considered the gold standard of leadership in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is popular across party lines.
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will be awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, on Friday at his home. President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to be present.
Mr Vajpayee, 90, a three-time prime minister, is considered the gold standard of leadership in the BJP and is popular across party lines. The BJP, which took power last May, has long demanded the Bharat Ratna for him.
The government will also present the Bharat Ratna to the family of educationist Madan Mohan Malviya, on March 30. The Banaras Hindu University, founded by Dr Malaviya, is in the Prime Minister's constituency Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.
So far, 43 people have received the Bharat Ratna, which recognizes "exceptional service or performance of the highest order."