Jnanpith Award

The country's highest literary award, the Jnanpith Award, is given to any Indian writer for his or her outstanding contribution in any of the 18 languages mentioned in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. It is given for outstanding contribution to creative writing in a specified period of 15 years but excluding the five years immediately preceding the year.The award was instituted in May 22, 1961. The total prize money for the scheme is Rs. 2.5 lakhs.