Delhi, 15 July (H.S.): Nominations for the Padma Awards-2026, to be announced on Republic Day, 2026, opened on March 15, 2025, and will close on July 31, 2025. Submissions will be accepted exclusively online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
The Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—are among India's highest civilian honors, established in 1954 to celebrate extraordinary contributions across various fields including Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, and Industry.
All individuals, regardless of race, occupation, or gender, are eligible, except government servants (excluding Doctors and Scientists). The Government aims to transform these awards into People’s Padma, encouraging citizens to nominate deserving individuals, particularly from marginalized groups, women, and those providing selfless service to society. Nominations must include relevant details and a citation (up to 800 words) highlighting the nominee's exceptional achievements. Further information can be found on the Ministry of Home Affairs website (https://mha.gov.in) and the Padma Awards Portal (https://padmaawards.gov.in), which also contains the statutes and regulations governing the awards.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar