PADMA AWARDS: OVERVIEW

About:

• Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian Awards of the country conferred in three categories, namely –
  • Padma Vibhushan: For Exceptional and distinguished service.
    
    
  • Padma Bhushan: For Distinguished service of high order.
    
    
  • Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
    
    
  
  
  
• Disciplines in which awarded: It is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields of activities/disciplines.
  
  
• Eligibility: All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
  
  
• Timeline: The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.
  
  
• Award committee:
  • The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made.
    
    
  • All nominations received for Padma Awards are placed before the Padma Awards Committee headed by the Cabinet Secretary, which is constituted by the PM every year.
    
    
  • The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the PM and the President for approval.
    
    
  • The awardees are then presented a certificate and a medallion. The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc., if the awardees so desire.