Who can apply for Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan Awards and the rules governing these Awards

The group of Padma Awards that includes Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri is known as the highest awards given by the Republic of India. They were all instituted together in the year 1954 and they are announced year on year on the Republic Day. The objective of these awards is to recognize, highlight and appreciate the ‘work of distinction’. They are given to persons or organizations that make some exceptional contribution or service in any field or discipline including Art, Medicine, Literature, Civil Service, Sports, Education, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Trade and Industry etc.

Participation in this venture

Nominations are invited from the departments and ministries of the central government, state and the Union territory governments, awardees of the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awards, Institutes of Excellence and also from many other agencies, bodies, enterprises and organizations, so that the sample available for the consideration is as wide as possible. The MHA communication requests these organizations, bodies and individuals to spare the necessary effort to identify the exceptional persons or organizations who deserve to be recognized for their contribution. These persons and bodies can make suitable nominations for the deserving individuals they find out.

Nominations and recommendations

Both the nominations and recommendations for the group of Padma awards have to be done only online on the Padma portal www.padmaawards.gov.in. Any citizen of India can make the nomination or recommendation. Self-nominations are also allowed. The nomination or recommendation must contain the complete details asked in the format provided in this portal for this purpose. A citation is also called for including a narration that can run to about 800 words which will clearly bring out the exceptional or distinguished achievement or service of the person or organization nominated or recommended or self-nominated for the Padma award in their respective field or discipline. All the necessary details asked must be carefully filled in for the nomination to be considered.

About Padma Awards

Any person or organization can apply for the Padma awards without any distinction to caste, race, occupation, gender or position. Padma Vibhushan seeks to recognize the exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan identifies the distinguished service of higher order and Padma Shri appreciates the distinguished service in any discipline or field. The MHA communication requests that every effort must be spared to find the suitable persons for the Padma awards from among women, weaker sections of the society, Divyang persons, SCs and STs who really deserve to be given this award. No Government servant who is working in the PSUs is eligible for these awards excepting doctors and scientists.

Rules governing the Padma Awards

The Padma awards are not given posthumously excepting in some highly deserving cases.

Padma Award can be conferred on a person only if five years have elapsed after the conferment of the earlier Padma award except in some deserving cases.

The President of India presents these awards consisting of a Sanad (Certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.

The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India. The recipients will also get a replica of the medallion which they can wear during any ceremonies or events.

The Padma award is not a title and it must never be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.

The total number of awards given in a year will not exceed 120.