SYLLABUS

GS-I Prelims: Current Events of National and International Importance.

Context: President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards for 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

More on the News

• For 2026, the President approved 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. 

• The list included: 

• 19 women awardees 
• 6 Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI awardees 
• 16 posthumous awardees 
• 2 duo cases (counted as one award) 

• Padma Awards 2027

• Nominations for Padma Awards 2027 opened on 15 March 2026. 
• Last date for nominations: 31 July 2026. 
• Nominations are accepted only through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. 
• The Government has emphasized transforming the awards into “People’s Padma” by encouraging nominations from women, weaker sections, SCs/STs, divyang persons and grassroots social workers. 

About the Padma Awards

• The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and are among the highest civilian awards of India. 

• They are announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day. 

• Categories of Padma Awards

• Padma Vibhushan — for exceptional and distinguished service. 
• Padma Bhushan — for distinguished service of a high order. 
• Padma Shri — for distinguished service in any field. 

• Eligibility: Any person, irrespective of race, occupation, position or sex, is eligible. 

• Serving Government servants and PSU employees are generally not eligible, except Doctors and Scientists.

• Key Features: 

• The awards consist of a Sanad (Certificate), a Medallion and a miniature replica for ceremonial use.
• No monetary grant is attached. 
• The award is not a title and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to a person’s name. 

• Posthumous Awards: Padma Awards are generally not conferred posthumously. 

• However, the Government may consider such awards in highly deserving and rare cases. 

• Selection Process: Nominations, including self-nominations, are open to the public. 

• All recommendations are examined by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister. 
• The Committee’s recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for approval. 

• Award Ceremony: The awards are presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually during March or April every year.