Information of Padma Awards - 2023 Padma Awards Winners List

History of Padma Awards

Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards represent one of the highest civilian honours in India with a rich legacy of recognizing exceptional contributions across several fields of public service.

The initial awards namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri were later classified as the ‘Padma Awards’ by the Government of India during the Republic Day honours of 1955. While the award categories and criteria have evolved over time, their prestige has remained consistent.

The conferring of these awards annually on India's Republic Day by the President was an initiative pioneered by the then Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to honor distinguished services that enrich human progress and welfare. Prominent freedom fighters were among the early recipients during the 1950s, spanning public service, academia, literature, and the arts.

Over the decades, the Padma Awards have distinguished eminent personalities from across disciplines - from trailblazing astronaut Rakesh Sharma to legendary musicians like MS Subbalakshmi to pioneering civil servants, doctors, and social reformers.

While the award carries no monetary prize, it accords the highest national recognition no matter the recipients' already existing fame, representing India's tribute to their seminal life work and example. The uniquely Indian peepal leaf-shaped medallion continues to shine light on extraordinary citizens.

In independent India’s early nation-building vision, the Padma Awards recognizes the widest scope of human endeavor that advances public good with a prestigious history spanning seven remarkable decades.

Padma Vibhushan Award

Some Basic Information about the Padma Vibhushan Award:

• It is the second-highest civilian award in India after Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is awarded annually by the Government of India.
• It is awarded to recognize exceptional and distinguished service in fields like art, literature, science & engineering, public affairs, civil service, social work, and trade & business.
• The award consists of a medal, lotus-shaped and set in platinum, and a certificate signed by the President.
• It does not carry any monetary benefits, prizes, or titles, but it entails national awardee recognition.
• Only 250 Padma Vibhushan awards can be active at any time.

Padma Vibhushan Award Winners 2023: 06 Awardees

Padma Bhushan Award

Among India's highest civilian honours, the Padma Bhushan stands as the third-highest civilian award instituted by the Government of India back in 1954. Conferred annually ahead of Republic Day, the Padma Bhushan recognizes distinguished service of an exceptionally high order across diverse fields by citizens across disciplines.

While lacking a monetary prize, the award accords the highest national recognition to recipients for their stellar contributions enriching human progress through the length of their careers. The highly selective award sees only a maximum of fifty conferred annually as published in the Gazette of India.

The award takes the form of an exquisite rectangular medallion forged in platinum, bearing the emblem of the Indian state, anchored by the inscribing text ‘Padma’ above a raised lotus flower. This is presented by the President of India along with a certificate signed by them in a special ceremonial investiture.

Figures decorated over its history include trailblazers like space scientist Nambi Narayanan, civil servant Kiran Bedi, industrialist Rahul Bajaj, artists like Satish Gujral, top foreign envoys, and leading legal brains, demonstrating the extensive scope of human endeavour recognised by the award since its founding.

With a legacy dating back to the 1950s, the Padma Bhushan shines an eternal light on those rare lives of sweeping vision and action that uplift countless others in their glowing trail through the highest halls of national honour.

Padma Bhushan Award Winners 2023: 09 Awardees

Padma Shri Award

Among India's most prestigious civilian honours, the Padma Shri represents the fourth-highest civilian award conferred annually by the Government of India. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Shri recognises distinguished contributions made by citizens across disciplines toward the nation's progress.

While lacking monetary prize, the Padma Shri accords national recognition to recipients for exceptional achievements and service excellence, enriching human welfare through their work and example over the length of their careers. The selective award sees approximately ninety recipients conferred annually.

The medal takes the form of a circular medallion cast in bronze with the inscribed text ‘Padma’ above a raised lotus flower on the obverse side. This is presented by dignitaries to recipients along with a certificate signed by the President during investitures across the country.

The extensive breadth of the award can be gauged from past recipients spanning leading luminaries like scientist Jayant Narlikar, historian Romila Thapar, musician Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, industrialists like Varghese Kurien, pioneering actors, armed forces heroes, artists, and more.

Instituted in the 1950s, the Padma Shri spotlights a national dedication to recognizing work that makes India richer and its people happier through science or service, arts or innovation by conferring milestone recognition on such exemplary citizens.

Padma Shri Award Winners 2023: 91 Awardees