Padma Awards 2026
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Padma Awards 2026

SYLLABUS

GS-I Prelims: Current Events of National and International Importance.

Context: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards for 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

More on the News

  • For 2026, the President approved 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.
  • The list included:
    • 19 women awardees
    • 6 Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI awardees
    • 16 posthumous awardees
    • 2 duo cases (counted as one award)
  • Padma Awards 2027
    • Nominations for Padma Awards 2027 opened on 15 March 2026.
    • Last date for nominations: 31 July 2026.
    • Nominations are accepted only through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.
    • The Government has emphasized transforming the awards into “People’s Padma” by encouraging nominations from women, weaker sections, SCs/STs, divyang persons and grassroots social workers.

About the Padma Awards

  • The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and are among the highest civilian awards of India.
  • They are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day.
  • Categories of Padma Awards
    • Padma Vibhushan — for exceptional and distinguished service.
    • Padma Bhushan — for distinguished service of a high order.
    • Padma Shri — for distinguished service in any field.
  • Eligibility: Any person, irrespective of race, occupation, position or sex, is eligible.
    • Serving Government servants and PSU employees are generally not eligible, except Doctors and Scientists.
  • Key Features:
    • The awards consist of a Sanad (Certificate), a Medallion and a miniature replica for ceremonial use.
    • No monetary grant is attached.
    • The award is not a title and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to a person’s name.
  • Posthumous Awards: Padma Awards are generally not conferred posthumously.
    • However, the Government may consider such awards in highly deserving and rare cases.
  • Selection Process: Nominations, including self-nominations, are open to the public.
    • All recommendations are examined by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
    • The Committee’s recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for approval.
  • Award Ceremony: The awards are presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually during March or April every year.
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