Who Nominates & Who Picks Padma Award Winners? Know The Process Ahead Of Today's Ceremony
Who Nominates & Who Picks Padma Award Winners? Know The Process Ahead Of Today's Ceremony Written By, Last Updated: May 25, 2026, 12:55 IST President
Who Nominates & Who Picks Padma Award Winners? Know The Process Ahead Of Today's Ceremony Written By, Last Updated: May 25, 2026, 12:55 IST President Droupadi Murmu will confer two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards today. News18 explains the selection criteria Rapid Read For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma awards. (ANI) President Droupadi Murmu will present 66 Padma awards at the first civil investiture ceremony for 2026 to be held in the Ganatantra Mandap of the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. Who nominates and who decides? The step-by-step process behind India’s Padma awards, News18 explains. The ceremony today During the ceremony to be attended by Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among others, the President will confer two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards. For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. The remaining Padma awardees will be conferred in the second round of the ceremony to be held later, sources said. The awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year. The coveted civilian honours are given in various fields — art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. Padma awards: The selection process The Padma Awards selection process follows a strict, multi-tiered framework designed to balance public participation with stringent government vetting.
Step 1: Public & Institutional Nominations The Ministry of Home Affairs accepts recommendations annually from 15th March to 31st July. The window is open to all Indian citizens via the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal. Individuals can legally nominate themselves. Recommendations are formally invited from State/UT Governments, Central Ministries, Institutes of Excellence, and previous Bharat Ratna or Padma Vibhushan recipients. Submissions require personal documentation and a thorough, “self-speaking" 800-word citation detailing the nominee’s exceptional work. Step 2: The Scrutiny Panel All incoming applications are centrally cataloged and organized into comprehensive profiles by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister, evaluates the profiles. The committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary. It features the Home Secretary, the Secretary to the President, and 4 to 6 eminent citizens appointed from various fields. The panel scans for “excellence plus" achievements. The core requirement is a distinct element of selfless public service over a lifetime, rather than just professional longevity. Step 3: Background Vetting Candidates shortlisted by the Committee undergo background checks. Premier intelligence and central investigative units evaluate the candidate’s character, financial records, and civic history. This ensures the nominees’ overall antecedents are completely above board before moving to the highest level of government. Step 4: Final Executive Approval The curated shortlist is sent to the Prime Minister for absolute executive scrutiny. Following the Prime Minister’s approval, the list is presented to the President of India for final executive sign-off.
The final roster cannot exceed 120 total awards in a calendar year, excluding posthumous recipients, foreigners, and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). Step 5: Announcement & Investiture The Ministry of Home Affairs calls the chosen individuals to secure their informal consent. If a candidate wishes to decline, their name is removed before publication. The complete list is officially announced on the eve of Republic Day (25th January). Padma awards: The 3 tiers The Padma Awards are divided into three distinct tiers based on the scale and impact of an individual’s service. 1. Padma Vibhushan (Highest Tier) The second-highest civilian award in India, ranked just below the Bharat Ratna. It is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service that has had a monumental impact on the nation or humanity. It is typically reserved for towering figures in politics, science, arts, or philanthropy with global or deep national relevance. 2. Padma Bhushan (Middle Tier) The third-highest civilian award in the country. It is awarded for distinguished service of a high order over a prolonged career. It is given to recognized leaders, pioneers, and top professionals who have shaped their specific industries or fields at a national level. 3. Padma Shri (Base Tier) The fourth-highest civilian award in India. It is awarded for distinguished service in any field of activity. It often highlights grassroots workers, innovators, artists, and local heroes whose extraordinary work might otherwise go unnoticed. What do Padma award winners get? Winners of the Padma Awards receive no monetary cash prize, monthly pension, or direct material perks like free travel.
Instead, the recognition is purely honorary and consists of the following official items presented by the President of India The Sanad: A formal certificate carrying the President’s signature and official seal. The Medallion: A bronze medal featuring a lotus flower, styled uniquely for each of the three tiers. A Miniature Replica: A smaller version of the medal that awardees can wear during official state functions. What are the legal and operational restrictions? Winners cannot use the award as a title or prefix/suffix to their names (e.g., on stationery, business cards, or books). It violates Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. The award does not grant railway passes, free air travel, government housing, or special security protocol. With agency inputs News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 25, 2026, 12:53 IST News explainers Who Nominates & Who Picks Padma Award Winners? Know The Process Ahead Of Today's Ceremony Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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