The 1954 statutes did not allow posthumous awards .
This was subsequently modified in the January 1955 statute , and Lal Bahadur Shastri became the first recipient to be honoured posthumously in 1966 .
The 1954 statutes did not allow posthumous awards , but this was subsequently modified in the January 1955 statute , and Lal Bahadur Shastri became the first recipient to be honoured posthumously in 1966 .