27-Jan-2025

Padma Awards

Miscellaneous

Why in News? 

President of India Announces 139 Padma Awards for 2025. The awards include 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri . 

 

Padma Awards 

Background: Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are announced annually on 26th January (Republic Day) and are among the highest civilian honors in India. 

Objective: To honor exceptional achievements in fields involving public service. 

Categories 

  • Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service (highest in hierarchy). 
  • Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of a higher order. 
  • Padma Shri: Distinguished service. 

Disciplines: Awards are given in fields like art, social work, public affairs, science, engineering, medicine, literature, sports, education, civil service, etc. 

Eligibility: Open to all, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender. 

Selection Process 

  • Recommendations are made by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister. 
  • Awards are conferred by the President of India in March/April each year. 

 

Bharat Ratna 

  • Overview: The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award, given for exceptional service of the highest order in any field of human endeavor. 
  • Difference from Padma Awards: Treated separately from the Padma Awards. Recommendations are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India. 
  • Limit: A maximum of three awards can be conferred in a year.