In the year 1976, the first year of the award,
9 individuals were awarded in recognition of their contribution:
Kazi Nazrul Islam (Literature)
Muhammad Qudrat-i-Khuda (Education)
Jasimuddin (literature)
Sufia Kamal (literature)
Abdul Quadir (literature)
Muhammed Mansooruddin (education)
Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah (journalism)
Abul Kalam Shamsuddin (literature)
Abdus Salam (Editor) (journalism)