Padma Awards: History | Categories | Eligibility & Selection

Context (TH): The President of India announced the conferment of Padma Awards 2026.
A total of 131 Awards were approved—5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.
Padma Vibhushan: Posthumously awarded to Dharmendra Singh Deol (Art) and V. S. Achuthanandan (Public Affairs).
Padma Bhushan: Prominent awardees include Alka Yagnik (Art), Mammootty (Art), Uday Kotak (Trade & Industry), and Vijay Amritraj (Sports), Shibu Soren (Public Affairs, Posthumous),
Padma Shri: Notable recipients include Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur (Sports), R. Madhavan (Art), and Vladimir Mestvirishvili (Posthumous), the first foreign coach to receive Padma Shri.
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India.
Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, is announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except for brief interruption(s) during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.

History

The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954.
The latter had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg.
These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955.

All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards.
Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.
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.
The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.

All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary.
Recommendations of the committee are submitted to the PM and President for approval.
The awards are presented by the President usually in the month of March/April every year where the awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

Who announces the Padma Awards in India?
Ans: The Padma Awards are announced by the President of India every year on Republic Day.
When were Padma Awards instituted?
Ans: Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954.
On which occasion are Padma Awards announced?
Ans: Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day.
During which years were Padma Awards not announced?
Ans: Padma Awards were not announced during 1978–79 and 1993–97.
What are the three categories of Padma Awards?
Ans: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
Who is eligible for Padma Awards?
Ans: All persons irrespective of race, sex, occupation, or position are eligible.
Are government servants eligible for Padma Awards?
Ans: Government servants are generally not eligible except doctors and scientists.
Can Padma Awards be given posthumously?
Ans: Yes, posthumous awards are given only in highly deserving cases.