For the year 2025, the President has approved conferment of 139 Padma Awards including 1 duo case.

About 2025 Padma Award List

• The list comprises:
  • 7 Padma Vibhushan
  • 19 Padma Bhushan
  • 113 Padma Shri Awards
• Among the awardees:
  • 23 are women.
  • 10 awardees belong to the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI.
  • 13 are posthumous awardees.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

List of Padma Vibhushan Awardee

About Padma Awards

• Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian awards, conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
• Announcement: The awards are announced annually on Republic Day (26th January).
• Institution: Padma Awards were instituted in 1954.
  • The awards were suspended during 1978, 1979, and 1993 to 1997.
• Objective: To recognize distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities or disciplines.
• Categories:
  • Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service.
  • Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of a higher order.
  • Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
    • Padma Vibhushan is the highest in the hierarchy, followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
• Disciplines: Awards are given in disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• Eligibility:
  • All persons, regardless of race, occupation, position, or sex, are eligible.
  • Government servants, including those working with PSUs (except doctors and scientists), are not eligible.
• Nomination: Any citizen, including self-nomination, can recommend nominations.
• Nominations are invited from: 
• • Central Ministries/Departments, States/UT Governments.
  • Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees.
  • Institutes of Excellence.
• Panel for Award: The Padma Awards Committee decides the awards.
• • The committee is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
  • It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President, and 4–6 eminent persons as members.
• Final Approval : Recommendations from the committee are approved by the Home Minister, Prime Minister, and President before announcement on the eve of Republic Day.
• Conferred by : The President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually in March/April.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books From PW Store

Other Important Facts

• A higher category of Padma Award can only be conferred if at least five years have elapsed since the earlier Padma Award, except in highly deserving cases.
• The total number of awards in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not exceed 120.
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the recipient’s name.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!