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.
Congress Calls BJP Leader "Bangladeshi", Himanta Sarma's "Italian" Rebuttal Sonia Gandhi To Campaign For Daughter Priyanka's Debut In Wayanad Bypoll "Every Indian Owes You A Debt": Ratan Tata's 1996 Letter To Narasimha Rao "Moving Towards One Party, One Nation": Uddhav Thackeray On BJP Victory Delhi Cop Stops 3 Men During Patrol, They Kill Him. Then A Manhunt Begins With Thumping Win, Maharashtra Decides Real NCP, Sena Retiring Pilot's Last Flight With Daughter As Co-Pilot Captures Hearts "Always Stable, Always Solid": DY Chandrachud Praises This Retired Cricketer "Too Little, Too Late": India Rejects $300 Billion COP29 Climate Deal Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.