New Delhi: The process for nominating individuals for the prestigious Padma Awards 2025, set to be announced on Republic Day, has officially commenced. Starting from May 1, 2024, the Government of India has opened the window for nominations, which will remain open until September 15, 2024. Interested individuals can submit their nominations or recommendations through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at https://awards.gov.in.
The Padma Awards, which include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are among the highest civilian honors in India. Established in 1954, these awards are presented annually on Republic Day to recognize 'work of distinction.' They honor distinguished and exceptional achievements across various fields such as Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, and Trade and Industry. The awards are open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender. However, government servants, including those working with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), are not eligible for the Padma Awards, with the exception of doctors and scientists.
The Government aims to transform the Padma Awards into "People's Padma," encouraging widespread participation in the nomination process. Citizens are urged to nominate deserving individuals, including self-nominations, with a focus on identifying talent from underrepresented groups such as women, weaker sections of society, SCs & STs, and persons with disabilities (divyangs), especially those who are dedicated to selfless service.
Nominations should be comprehensive, including all relevant details as specified in the nomination format available on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. Each submission must also include a citation in narrative form, with a maximum of 800 words, that clearly outlines the nominee's distinguished and exceptional achievements in their respective field.
For further details, visit the 'Awards and Medals' section on the Ministry of Home Affairs website at https://mha.gov.in or the Padma Awards Portal at https://padmaawards.gov.in. The statutes and rules governing these awards are also accessible via this link. /BI/
