The Padma Awards, among India’s most prestigious civilian honours, were instituted to recognize exceptional contributions across diverse fields such as art, literature, science, public service, medicine, education, and more. Every year, these awards are announced on the eve of Republic Day and are presented by the President of India at a ceremonial event in Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually held in March or April.
139 Padma Awards Conferred in 2025
In a significant deviation from tradition, the Padma Awards 2025 saw 139 recipients, including a duo case (where two individuals are jointly awarded and counted as one). Traditionally, the number of awardees is kept under 120, making this year an exceptional one. The breakdown is as follows:
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7 Padma Vibhushan
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19 Padma Bhushan
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113 Padma Shri
The announcement was made by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of the 76th Republic Day, continuing the long-held tradition.
Padma Vibhushan 2025
Awarded for “exceptional and distinguished service,” the Padma Vibhushan was presented to seven luminaries in 2025:
|
Awardee Name |
Field |
State/Country |
|---|---|---|
|
Dr. Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy |
Medicine |
Telangana |
|
Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar |
Public Affairs |
Chandigarh |
|
Mrs. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia |
Art |
Gujarat |
|
Dr. Lakshminarayana Subramaniam |
Art (Violinist) |
Karnataka |
|
Shri M. T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) |
Literature and Education |
Kerala |
|
Shri Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) |
Trade and Industry |
Japan |
|
Smt. Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) |
Art (Bihar Kokila) |
Bihar |
These awardees have made groundbreaking contributions in their fields, from medical advancements and literary excellence to shaping the global automotive industry.
Padma Bhushan 2025
Awarded for “distinguished service of high order,” 19 individuals received the Padma Bhushan in 2025. The recipients represent a wide array of professions, including cinema, journalism, medicine, archaeology, sports, and public affairs.
|
Awardee Name |
Field |
State/Country |
|---|---|---|
|
Shri A. Surya Prakash |
Journalism |
Karnataka |
|
Shri Anant Nag |
Art (Kannada Cinema) |
Karnataka |
|
Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) |
Literature and Education |
NCT Delhi |
|
Shri Jatin Goswami |
Art |
Assam |
|
Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram |
Medicine |
Kerala |
|
Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit |
Archaeology |
NCT Delhi |
|
Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) |
Public Affairs |
Maharashtra |
|
Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti |
Trade and Industry |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna |
Art (Telugu Cinema) |
Andhra Pradesh |
|
Shri P R Sreejesh |
Sports (Hockey) |
Kerala |
|
Shri Pankaj Patel |
Trade and Industry |
Gujarat |
|
Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) |
Art (Ghazal Music) |
Maharashtra |
|
Shri Rambahadur Rai |
Journalism |
Uttar Pradesh |
|
Sadhvi Ritambhara |
Social Work |
Uttar Pradesh |
|
Shri S. Ajith Kumar |
Art (Tamil Cinema) |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Shri Shekhar Kapur |
Art (Film Director) |
Maharashtra |
|
Smt. Shobana Chandrakumar |
Art |
Tamil Nadu |
|
Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) |
Public Affairs |
Bihar |
|
Shri Vinod Dham |
Science and Engineering |
USA |
These individuals have left a lasting impact on Indian culture, governance, industry, and international reputation.
Padma Shri 2025
The Padma Shri is awarded for “distinguished service” in any field, and this year, 113 individuals were honoured. From playback singers and poets to cricketers and scholars, the awardees reflect India’s vibrant and diverse talent pool.
Prominent Padma Shri Awardees of 2025:
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Arijit Singh – A celebrated playback singer from West Bengal, known for his soulful voice and significant influence on Bollywood music.
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Ravichandran Ashwin – One of India's top international cricketers, celebrated for his achievements as a world-class spin bowler.
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Harvinder Singh – A prominent cricketer from Haryana, honoured for his dedication to domestic cricket.
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Ricky Kej – An internationally acclaimed environmental composer, recognised for promoting environmental awareness through music.
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Tushar Durgeshbhai Shukla – A Gujarati poet and author honoured for his literary contributions and role in education.
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Syed Ainul Hasan – Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, acknowledged for over three decades of service in Indo-Iranian and Indo-Afghan relations.
-
Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid – A renowned Vedic scholar credited with the preservation and promotion of ancient texts.
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Mrs. Arundhati Bhattacharya – A trailblazer in banking and industry, celebrated for her leadership in the financial sector.
Other Notable Padma Shri Awardees Include:
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Smt. Jumde Yomgam Gamlin
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Smt. K Omanakutty Amma
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Shri Mahabir Nayak
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Smt. Nirmala Devi
-
Shri Pawan Goenka
-
Adwaita Charan Gadanayak (Art, Odisha)
-
Achyut Ramchandra Palav (Art, Maharashtra)
-
Ajay V Bhatt (Science & Engineering, USA)
-
Anil Kumar Boro (Literature & Education, Assam)
-
Arunoday Saha (Literature & Education, Tripura)
-
Arvind Sharma (Literature & Education, Canada)
-
Ashok Kumar Mahapatra (Medicine, Odisha)
-
Ashok Laxman Saraf (Art, Maharashtra)
The full list of awardees spans individuals from nearly every Indian state and several countries, illustrating the global impact of Indian excellence.
Award Selection and Presentation Process
The selection for the Padma Awards is meticulous and transparent. While the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, is recommended directly by the Prime Minister, the Padma Awards are recommended by a Padma Awards Committee, constituted annually by the Prime Minister and headed by the Cabinet Secretary. The committee reviews nominations and submits its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President of India.
Padma Awards Categories:
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Padma Vibhushan – For exceptional and distinguished service.
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Padma Bhushan – For distinguished service of a high order.
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Padma Shri – For distinguished service in any field.
Each recipient is awarded:
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A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President of India.
-
A medallion.
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A miniature replica of the medallion for ceremonial use.
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Official publication of their names in the Gazette of India.
The Padma Awards 2025 reflect India’s cultural richness, scientific achievements, sporting spirit, artistic heritage, and humanitarian efforts. From the villages of Odisha to international corridors of power, the 139 honourees represent the essence of India's commitment to recognising excellence without boundaries.
These awards not only honour past achievements but also serve to inspire future generations to dedicate themselves to the betterment of society, fostering innovation, compassion, and resilience.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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