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Padma Awards 2026 nominations are open till 31st July 2025. Know eligibility, types (Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri), fields covered, how to nominate, and selection process. Celebrate excellence in art, science, medicine, social work, and more. Submit nominations at awards.gov.in.
PWOnlyIAS
May 21, 2025
Padma Awards 2026 nominations are now open, offering Indian citizens the opportunity to recognise and honour those who have significantly contributed to the nation across diverse fields. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours in India and are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day. These awards celebrate individuals whose work exemplifies excellence, commitment, and service to society. If you’re wondering what are Padma Awards are and how you can nominate someone, read on for a complete guide to the Padma Awards 2026.
The Padma Awards were established to honour individuals for their distinguished and exceptional achievements in various spheres of activity. These include art, literature, education, science, engineering, medicine, public affairs, social work, trade and industry, sports, and many more. While the awards are a national recognition, they are increasingly seen as “People’s Padma,” thanks to the government’s efforts to make the process inclusive and transparent.
There are three types of Padma Awards, each reflecting a different level of contribution. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are conferred in three categories:
| Types of Padma Awards | ||
| Award Name | Description | Prestige Level |
| Padma Vibhushan | Exceptional and distinguished service | 2nd highest civilian award |
| Padma Bhushan | Distinguished service of high order | 3rd highest civilian award |
| Padma Shri | Distinguished service in any field | 4th highest civilian award |
These awards celebrate achievements that go beyond professional success, seeking to honour individuals who have demonstrated a spirit of selfless service to society.
Important Awards in India 2025
The nomination process for Padma Awards 2026 began on 15th March 2025 and will continue until 31st July 2025. All nominations or recommendations must be submitted online via the official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at https://awards.gov.in.
Anyone can nominate a deserving individual, including self-nomination. The Government encourages citizens to identify and nominate individuals from marginalised sections of society, including women, SCs, STs, Divyangjans, and others, offering selfless service.
More information can be accessed on the Ministry of Home Affairs site: https://mha.gov.in and the Padma Awards Portal: https://padmaawards.gov.in.
All citizens of India, regardless of race, gender, occupation, or position, are eligible for the Padma Awards 2026, provided their contributions meet the award’s criteria. However:
International Awards List 2025
The Padma Awards 2026 aim to recognise excellence in a wide spectrum of fields. These awards celebrate individuals who have made distinguished and exceptional contributions in their respective domains. Below are the fields considered for the Padma Awards 2026:
To submit nominations for Padma Awards 2026, visit https://awards.gov.in and follow these steps:
All nominations for the Padma Awards 2026 go through a rigorous selection process:
Awardees are invited to a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March/April 2026, where the President of India presents:
Note: The Padma Awards carry no monetary benefit and do not confer titles.
While the Padma Awards are generally not given posthumously, exceptions are made in highly deserving and rare cases.
A maximum of 120 awards (excluding foreigners and posthumous cases) are given each year to maintain the Awards’ sanctity.
The Padma Awards 2025 honoured remarkable individuals across diverse disciplines, recognising their outstanding service to the nation and humanity. A total of 139 awardees were announced, including women achievers, posthumous awardees, and international contributors.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the Padma Awards 2025:
| Padma Awards 2025 | ||
| Category | Number of Awardees | Notable Recipients |
| Padma Vibhushan | 7 | Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine), Smt. Kumudini Lakhia (Art) |
| Padma Bhushan | 19 | Shri Anant Nag (Art), Shri P R Sreejesh (Sports), Smt. Shobana Chandrakumar (Art) |
| Padma Shri | 113 | Shri Arijit Singh (Art), Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya (Trade & Industry), Shri Ajay V Bhatt (Science & Engineering) |
This diverse list includes 23 women, 13 posthumous awards, and 10 awardees from the NRI/PIO/OCI/Foreigner category.
The Padma Awards 2026 are more than just honours—they represent India’s gratitude to those who uplift society through their extraordinary deeds. As nominations are open until 31st July 2025, now is the time to reflect on who in your community deserves national recognition. With the government promoting transparency and inclusivity through public nominations, these awards have evolved into a true celebration of India’s rich talent and service spirit.
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