Jnanpith Award is the highest literary honour presented by the Government of India. The award carries a cheque for Rs. 500,000, a citation plaque and a bronze replica of Vagdevi. The award was instituted in 1961 and the first award was given to the Malayalam writer G Shankara Kurup in 1965. An Indian citizen who writes in any of the official languages of India is eligible for the honour.
Before 1982, the awards were given for a single work by a writer. From 1982, the award is being given for overall contribution to Indian literature. So far Kannada writers have won 7 awards which is the highest for any language. Hindi writers have won 6 awards.
List of Awardees
(Year - Name - Works - Language)
