Congress leader Sonia Gandhi welcomed the announcement of Bharat Ratna to former prime ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, and scientist MS Swaminathan.
"I welcome them. Why not," she told reporters outside the Parliament.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on X (formerly Twitter).
"Narasimha Rao steered India through critical transformations and also enriched its cultural and intellectual heritage," PM Modi said.
Rao's visionary leadership, PM Modi said, was instrumental in making India economically advanced and laid a solid foundation for its prosperity, growth.
"Bharat Ratna to Charan Singh dedicated to his incomparable contribution to country," the prime minister said.
"Swaminathan made monumental contributions to country in agriculture and farmers' welfare," PM Modi said.
He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture and made outstanding efforts in modernising it, the prime minister said.
The government had earlier announced the country's highest civilian honour for L K Advani and Karpoori Thakur.
"Powerful Champion Of Secularism": Sonia Gandhi Condoles Sitaram Yechury's Death Protest Outside Sonia Gandhi's House Over Rahul Gandhi's Sikh Remarks Sonia Gandhi Slams Centre's Move, Says Khadi Sole Fabric For Indian Flag AAP's Atishi To Be Delhi's New Chief Minister, Chosen By Arvind Kejriwal "Your Duty...": Chief Justice On Bengal's 'No Night Shift For Women' Note Kolkata Horror: Top Court's Tough Questions As CBI Claims CCTV Footage Gaps How The Internet Went From Being Fun To Frustrating Wholesale Inflation Falls For Second Month In A Row To 1.31% In August Vishwakarma Puja: Wishes, Messages And Greetings To Share With Loved Ones Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.