For the year 2024, the President has approved conferment of 132 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (counted as one).

• Instituted in – 1954, announced every year on the occasion of Republic Day except during 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.

• Presented by – President of India, usually in March/April every year.
• Eligibility – All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex but government servants including PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards.
• Awards – A Sanad (certificate) signed by the President, medallion and a small replica of the medallion, awardee names are also published in the Gazette of India on the ceremonial day.
• Title – It does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name
• Number of awards – In a given year (excluding posthumous and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs), it should not be more than 120.
• Fields covered – Art, social work, social service, Public Affairs, science & engineering, trade & industry, medicine, literature & education, civil service, sports and others fields that not covered.

It is normally not conferred posthumously but in highly deserving cases, the Government could consider giving an award posthumously.

• A higher category of Padma award – Only where a period of at least 5 years has elapsed since the earlier Padma award but in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee.

Padma Awards Committee

• Constituted by – Prime Minister of India every year
• Headed by – Cabinet Secretary,
• Members – It includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and 4 to 6 eminent persons.
• Role – It considers the nominations and submits its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.

2024 list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 110 Padma Shri Awards. It includes 30 women, 8 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 9 posthumous awardees.