The 28th award for the year 2012 would be for the recognition of outstanding contribution to the cause of national integration in that year and two years preceding it, an AICC release said.
The award was instituted in 1985 by the Indian National Congress in its centenary year. It is presented on the death anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi--October 31.
Some of the awardees include Swami Ranganathananda, Aruna Asaf Ali, Mahasweta Devi, A R Rahman, Mohan Dharia, Gulzar, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Rajiv Gandhi, Bharat Scouts and Guides.