Padma Awards

The Padma Awards is one of the highest civilian awards of India. They are presented in three categories namely Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri. They are awarded in several disciplines such as public affairs, social work, art, education and literature, science and engineering, trade and industry, sports, medicine, civil service, etc.

About the Padma Awards

• Every Indian citizen irrespective of caste, sex, age, race or occupation is equally eligible to receive the award.
• The Government servants working with Public Sector Units (except doctors and scientists) are not eligible to receive these awards.
• The award is usually not presented posthumously (that is after death). However, in highly deserving cases, the Government considers presenting the award posthumously. In such cases, the demise of the person should be recent, that is, within one year.
• The higher category Padma award shall be presented to a person only if five years have elapsed since the presentation of earlier award. However, the awardee committee is allowed to make relaxations for highly deserving candidates.
• The recommendations from the state governments and union territories are invited every year.
• The Prime Minister of India constitutes the Padma Awards Committee. The committee submits its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President.
• The President of India presents the Padma Awards.
• The number of Padma awards given in a year should not exceed more than 120. This does not include Padma awards presented to foreigners and also those awarded posthumously.
• The names of the Padma awardees are published in Gazette of India. The Gazette of India is a public journal that prints legal documents of India. It is published weekly by the Department of Publication operating under Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
• The names of the awardees are announced during the Republic Day celebrations. However, the awards are presented in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony is usually held in the month of March or April.
• The awardees or others cannot use the award name as suffix or prefix. They cannot use the award name along with their names in posters or books or letterheads or invitation cards. The awardee will forfeit (lose) the award if he does so.
• There are no cash allowance (air or rail, etc.) in terms of concessions is attached to these awards.
• The work of the person selected should not be only excellence in particular field but should be excellence plus.
• The Padma Vibhushan award is presented for distinguished and exceptional services. The Padma Bhushan award is presented for distinguished service of high order. The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field.