Padma Awards
About
- The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India announced annually on the eve of Republic Day (except for brief interruptions during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997).
- These Awards were instituted by the Government of India in 1954, alongside the Bharat Ratna, to recognize distinguished contributions in various fields.
Bharat Ratna:
- Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India.
- It is awarded in recognition of exceptional service/performance of the highest order in any field of human endeavour.
- The recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
- The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year.
- The Padma Awards seek to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
- The Awards are given in three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service);
- Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order); and
- Padma Shri (distinguished service).
- Recipients of these awards receive a medal and a certificate signed by the President of India.
Eligibility:
- All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
- However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
- The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.
Fields:
- The Padma awards are given across various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, civil services, sports and others (fields not covered above and may include propagation of Indian Culture, protection of Human Rights, Wild Life protection/conservation etc).
Deciding Authority:
- The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
- The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.
Maximum Number of Awards:
- The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to foreigners) should not be more than 120.
- The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
Note:
- The award does not amount to a title under Article 18(1) of the Indian Constitution and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
- A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.
Why in News?
- For the year 2026, President of India has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards.