Padma Awards

Padma Awards Latest News

Recently, the President of India conferred 4 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri Awards at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I at Rashtrapati Bhawan’s Ganatantra Mandap.

Padma Awards Historical Background

• The Padma Awards were established in 1954 alongside the Bharat Ratna.
• Initially, Padma Awards had three classes: Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg.
• These were renamed in 1955 via Presidential Notification as: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri

Padma Awards Categories 

• Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri: Recognises distinguished service in any field.

Eligibility Criteria

• All persons, regardless of race, occupation, position or gender, are eligible for the award.
• Government servants, including employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), are not eligible, except doctors and scientists.
• Awards are normally not conferred posthumously, but in highly deserving cases, exceptions are allowed.
• A minimum 5-year gap is required for conferring a higher category Padma award upon a previously awarded individual. However, this can be relaxed by the Awards Committee in exceptional cases.
• Nominations are open to the public, and self-nomination is also allowed.

 Selection Process

• All nominations are evaluated by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
• The Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
• Its recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and President for final approval.
• The awards are presented by the President, usually in March or April.
• Awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

Other Key Features

• The total number of Padma awards per year is capped at 120, excluding:
  • Posthumous awards
  • Awards to NRIs, foreign nationals, and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs)
• The award does not constitute a title and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the awardee’s name.
• Disciplines covered: Awards span across art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, among others.

Padma Awards FAQs

Q1. What are the Padma Awards?
Ans. The Padma Awards are civilian honours given by the Government of India to recognise exceptional service in various fields such as arts, education, public affairs, and science.

Q2. What are the three categories of Padma Awards?
Ans. The three categories are Padma Vibhushan (second-highest civilian award), Padma Bhushan (third-highest), and Padma Shri (fourth-highest).

Q3. Are Padma Awards given posthumously?
Ans. Yes, the awards can be conferred posthumously in deserving cases.

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Source: PIB