On January 2, 1954, the office of the Secretary to the President of India issued a press release announcing the establishment of two civilian honours: the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, and the three-tier Padma Vibhushan. The latter was initially classified into three categories: Class I, Class II, and Class III, ranking below the Bharat Ratna. Later, on January 15, 1955, the Padma Vibhushan was restructured into three separate awards: the Padma Vibhushan (the highest of the three), the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Shri.

Since 1954, India has honoured exceptional individuals with the prestigious Padma Awards, recognising their achievements in fields like arts, education, literature, industry, science, sports, medicine, and social service. However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, these awards have undergone a transformative shift, becoming true “People’s Awards” that celebrate inclusivity and democracy, which was the founding vision of the civilian honours.

This year’s list of Padma Awardees reinforces this transformation. Individuals from diverse walks of life, particularly those working selflessly in social and cultural fields, have been recognised for their contributions. These awards now honour unsung heroes who, without seeking recognition or fame, are quietly advancing the nation and society.

Among this year’s awardees are inspiring figures like Nagaland’s L. Hangthing, known as the “Fruit Man”, who revolutionised fruit cultivation in his region, and Bhim Singh Bhavesh from Bihar’s Buxar district, who is hailed as the saviour of the Musahar community. These changemakers exemplify how ordinary individuals can drive extraordinary societal transformation.

Other remarkable recipients include Tulsi Gowda from the Pakkali tribal community, who accepted her Padma honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan, and 106-year-old environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, fondly called the “Mother of Trees”. These ordinary individuals uphold the original vision of the Padma Awards when they were instituted: to honour those who embody dedication, service, and excellence.

Democratising the Selection Process

One of the most significant reforms under PM Modi has been the democratisation of the Padma Awards selection process. Previously, the awards were criticised for being elitist and opaque, with selections allegedly influenced by political connections or favouritism.

In 2016, the Modi government opened the nomination process to the general public, making it transparent and participatory. Now, over 50,000 nominations are received annually, which are carefully reviewed by a high-level committee before recommendations are sent to the Prime Minister and President for approval. For the first time, any Indian citizen can nominate deserving individuals online, ensuring that merit and contribution remain the sole criteria for selection.

Beyond Political Ideologies

A noteworthy feature of the Padma Awards under PM Modi’s leadership is the recognition of political opponents. In earlier times, political beliefs often determined eligibility, and leaders from opposition parties were frequently overlooked.

Breaking this tradition, PM Modi has ensured that contributions, irrespective of political affiliation, are acknowledged. Leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav, Sharad Pawar, Tarun Gogoi, Ghulam Nabi Azad, and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee have been honoured with Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan awards.

Additionally, former President Pranab Mukherjee, a lifelong Congress leader, was conferred the Bharat Ratna during PM Modi’s tenure. This gesture exemplifies statesmanship and the willingness to rise above political divides, showcasing the awards as a celebration of merit and contribution rather than partisanship.

Beyond Religion, Caste, and Region

Under PM Modi’s leadership, the Padma Awards have transcended religious, caste, regional, or linguistic biases. A standout example is Karnataka’s Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri, an artisan who received the Padma Shri in 2023. Quadri admitted he had lost hope of recognition during Congress rule but was proven wrong under the Modi government. 

Increased Representation Of Women

Another significant achievement under the Modi government is the increased representation of women among Padma Awardees. In 2024, 30 women were honoured with these awards, and this year, 23 women are part of the list. This emphasis on recognising women’s contributions highlights the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment and its efforts to provide them with equal opportunities for recognition. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the Padma Awards have become a platform for recognising and celebrating the contributions of women from all walks of life.

His vision of inclusivity and empowerment has ensured that women from diverse fields are acknowledged for their exceptional work. Vani Jairam, for her contribution to music, Rani Rampal, for her achievements in sports, Batul Begum, for preserving folk music, and Dr Nalini Parthasarathi, for her work in medicine, all received Padma Awards due to the government’s focused effort to highlight women’s achievements.

Restoring The Democratic Spirit 

Today, the Padma Awards truly reflect the democratic ethos of India. They are no longer confined to elite circles or influenced by favouritism. Instead, they honour individuals from all walks of life solely based on merit and service to the nation.

This transformation under PM Modi has restored the original purpose of the Padma Awards: to celebrate excellence, dedication, and selfless service. By recognising unsung heroes and marginalised communities, the awards symbolise hope and inspiration for millions of Indians.

With their transparency, inclusivity, and focus on merit, the Padma Awards now stand as a testament to the government’s vision of a New India—an India that values its people above all else. Once viewed as symbols of privilege, these honours now celebrate the nation’s true strength: its people.

(The author is National Spokesperson, Bharatiya Janata Party)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author

Padma awards – one of the highest civilian Awards in the country – were announced today. The awards are conferred in three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. For this year, President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards including one duo case (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).

Grammy award-winning musician Ricky Kej, who received the Padma Shri, and former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, who was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, were among the notable winners of the 2025 Padma awards. 

In the field of sports, top athletes such as former men’s hockey captain PR Sreejesh and recently-retired cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin were honoured with the Padma Shri.

Contributions in various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science, engineering, trade, industry, medicine, and literature are honoured through the prestigious awards.

From top business leaders to creative artists, the Padma awards celebrate excellence across diverse fields.

Here’s the complete list of the winners:

Padma Vibhushan

1 Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy – Medicine

2 Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar – Public Affairs

3 Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia – Art

4. Shri Lakshminarayana Subramaniam – Art

5 Shri MT Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) – Literature and Education

6 Shri Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) – Trade and Industry

7 Smt. Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) – Art

Padma Bhushan

1. Shri A Surya Prakash – Literature and Education – Journalism

2. Shri Anant Nag – Art

3. Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) – Literature and Education

4. Shri Jatin Goswami – Art

5. Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram – Medicine

6. Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit – Others – Archaeology

7. Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs

8. Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti – Trade and Industry

9. Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna – Art

10. Shri PR Sreejesh – Sports

11. Shri Pankaj Patel – Trade and Industry

12. Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) – Art

13. Shri Rambahadur Rai – Literature and Education – Journalism

14. Sadhvi Ritambhara – Social Work

15. Shri S Ajith Kumar – Art

16. Shri Shekhar Kapur – Art

17. Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar – Art

18. Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs

19. Shri Vinod Dham – Science and Engineering

Padma Shri

1. Shri Adwaita Charan Gadanayak – Art

2. Shri Achyut Ramchandra Palav – Art

3. Shri Ajay V Bhatt – Science and Engineering

4. Shri Anil Kumar Boro – Literature and Education

5. Shri Arijit Singh – Art

6. Smt Arundhati Bhattacharya – Trade and Industry

7. Shri Arunoday Saha – Literature and Education

8. Shri Arvind Sharma – Literature and Education

9. Shri Ashok Kumar Mahapatra – Medicine

10. Shri Ashok Laxman Saraf – Art

11. Shri Ashutosh Sharma – Science and Engineering

12. Smt. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – Art

13. Shri Baijnath Maharaj – Others – Spiritualism

14. Shri Barry Godfray John – Art

15. Smt. Begam Batool – Art

16. Shri Bharat Gupt – Art

17. Shri Bheru Singh Chouhan – Art

18. Shri Bhim Singh Bhavesh – Social Work

19. Smt. Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara – Art

20. Shri Budhendra Kumar Jain – Medicine

21. Shri CS Vaidyanathan – Public Affairs

22. Shri Chaitram Deochand Pawar – Social Work

23. Shri Chandrakant Sheth (Posthumous) – Literature and Education

24. Shri Chandrakant Sompura – Others – Architecture

25. Shri Chetan E Chitnis – Science and Engineering

26. Shri David R Syiemlieh – Literature and Education

27. Shri Durga Charan Ranbir – Art

28. Shri Farooq Ahmad Mir – Art

29. Shri Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid – Literature and Education

30. Smt. Gita Upadhyay – Literature and Education

31. Shri Gokul Chandra Das – Art

32. Shri Guruvayur Dorai – Art

33. Shri Harchandan Singh Bhatty – Art

34. Shri Hariman Sharma Others – Agriculture

35. Shri Harjinder Singh Srinagar Wale – Art

36. Shri Harvinder Singh – Sports

37. Shri Hassan Raghu – Art

38. Shri Hemant Kumar – Medicine

39. Shri Hriday Narayan Dixit – Literature and Education

40. Shri Hugh and Colleen Gantzer (Posthumous) (Duo)* – Literature and Education

41. Shri Inivalappil Mani Vijayan – Sports

42. Shri Jagadish Joshila – Literature and Education

43. Smt. Jaspinder Narula Art Maharashtra

44. Shri Jonas Masetti – Others – Spiritualism

45. Shri Joynacharan Bathari – Art

46. Smt. Jumde Yomgam Gamlin – Social Work

47. Shri K. Damodaran Others – Culinary

48. Shri K L Krishna – Literature and Education

49. Smt. K Omanakutty Amma – Art

50. Shri Kishore Kunal (Posthumous) – Civil Service

51. Shri L Hangthing – Others – Agriculture

52. Shri Lakshmipathy Ramasubbaiyer – Literature and Education – Journalism

53. Shri Lalit Kumar Mangotra – Literature and Education J

54. Shri Lama Lobzang (Posthumous) – Others – Spiritualism

55. Smt. Libia Lobo Sardesai – Social Work

56. Shri MD Srinivas – Science and Engineering

57. Shri Madugula Nagaphani Sarma – Art

58. Shri Mahabir Nayak – Art

59. Smt. Mamata Shankar – Art

60. Shri Manda Krishna Madiga – Public Affairs

61. Shri Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli – Literature and Education

62. Shri Miriyala Apparao (Posthumous) – Art Andhra Pradesh

63. Shri Nagendra Nath Roy – Literature and Education

64. Shri Narayan (Bhulai Bhai) (Posthumous) – Public Affairs

65. Shri Naren Gurung – Art Sikkim

66. Smt. Neerja Bhatla – Medicine

67. Smt. Nirmala Devi – Art

68. Shri Nitin Nohria – Literature and Education

69. Shri Onkar Singh Pahwa – Trade and Industry

70. Shri P Datchanamoorthy – Art

71. Shri Pandi Ram Mandavi – Art

72. Shri Parmar Lavjibhai Nagjibhai – Art

73. Shri Pawan Goenka – Trade and Industry

74. Shri Prashanth Prakash – Trade and Industry

75. Smt. Pratibha Satpathy – Literature and Education

76. Shri Purisai Kannappa Sambandan – Art

77. Shri R Ashwin – Sports

78. Shri R G Chandramogan – Trade and Industry

79. Smt. Radha Bahin Bhatt – Social Work

80. Shri Radhakrishnan Devasenapathy – Art

81. Shri Ramdarash Mishra – Literature and Education

82. Shri Ranendra Bhanu Majumdar – Art

83. Shri Ratan Kumar Parimoo – Art

84. Shri Reba Kanta Mahanta – Art

85. Shri Renthlei Lalrawna Literature and Education Mizoram

86. Shri Ricky Gyan Kej – Art

87. Shri Sajjan Bhajanka – Trade and Industry

88. Smt. Sally Holkar – Trade and Industry

89. Shri Sant Ram Deswal – Literature and Education

90. Shri Satyapal Singh – Sports

91. Shri Seeni Viswanathan – Literature and Education

92. Shri Sethuraman Panchanathan – Science and Engineering

93. Smt. Sheikha Shaikha Ali Al-Jaber Al-Sabah – Medicine

94. Shri Sheen Kaaf Nizam (Shiv Kishan Bissa) – Literature and Education

95. Shri Shyam Bihari Agrawal – Art

96. Smt. Soniya Nityanand – Medicine

97. Shri Stephen Knapp – Literature and Education

98. Shri Subhash Khetulal Sharma – Others – Agriculture Maharashtra

99. Shri Suresh Harilal Soni – Social Work

100. Shri Surinder Kumar Vasal – Science and Engineering Delhi

101. Shri Swami Pradiptananda (Kartik Maharaj) – Others – Spiritualism

102. Shri Syed Ainul Hasan – Literature and Education

103. Shri Tejendra Narayan Majumdar – Art

104. Smt. Thiyam Suryamukhi Devi – Art

105. Shri Tushar Durgeshbhai Shukla – Literature and Education

106. Shri Vadiraj Raghawendracharya Panchamukhi – Literature and Education

107. Shri Vasudeo Kamath – Art

108. Shri Velu Aasaan – Art

109. Shri Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar – Art

110. Shri Vijay Nityanand Surishwar Ji Maharaj – Others – Spiritualism

111. Smt. Vijayalakshmi Deshamane – Medicine

112. Shri Vilas Dangre – Medicine

113. Shri Vinayak Lohani – Social Work

Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New Delhi:

Former vice president M Venkaiah Naidu, founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak and a host of other prominent persons were conferred with Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremonial function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.

M Venkaiah Naidu, Bindeshwar Pathak, who was given the award posthumously, and renowned Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam were conferred with the Padma Vibhushan.

Actor Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik and industrialist Sitaram Jindal were conferred with the Padma Bhushan.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, among others, were present at the function.

Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honours of the country, are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The awards are given in various disciplines or fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day every year.

For 2024, the President had approved conferment of 132 Padma awards, including two duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).

The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri awards.

As many as 30 of the awardees are women and the list also includes eight people from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and nine posthumous awardees.

While almost half of the awardees were conferred the awards on Monday, the remaining are likely to get them next week.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)