Bharat Ratna
- Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkhar, Bharat Ratna (1990), Honorary Doctorate '52
- Jawaharlal Nehru, Bharat Ratna (1955), Honorary Doctor of Laws '49
- Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Bharat Ratna (1954), Honorary Degree '54
Padma Vibhushan
- Professor J.N. Bhagwati, Padma Vibhushan (2000), Literature & Education, CU Faculty
Padma Bhushan
- Dr. Vidya Dehejia, Literature & Education (2012), CU Faculty
- Professor Padma Desai, Literature & Education (2008), CU Faculty
- Dr. Madhav S. Gore, Science & Engineering (1975), CU Alumni
- Professor Arvind Panagariya, Literature & Education (2012), CU Faculty
- Dr. Vikram S. Pandit, Trade & Industry (2008), CU Alumni
- Mr. Narasimhan Ram, Trade & Industry (1990), CU Alumni
- Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, Literature & Education (2007), CU Faculty
Padma Shri
- Mr. Anil Kumar Agarwal, Literature & Education (1986), CU Alumni
- Dr. Dorairajan Balasubramanian, Science & Engineering (2002), CU Alumni
- Dr. Nirupam Bajpai, Literature & Education (2008), CU Faculty
- Ms. Barkha Dutt, Journalism (2008), CU Alumni
- Mr. Askok Kumar Patel, Civil Service (1991), CU Alumni
- Professor Sheldon Pollock, Literature & Education (2010), CU Faculty
- Dr. Kiran Seth, Art (2009), CU Alumni
- Professor Ponisseril Somasundaran, Science & Engineering (2010), CU Faculty
- Reverend William Tully, Literature & Education (1992), CU Alumni