Padma Awards – List of Winners 2023

The Padma Awards hold a place of distinction as one of India’s most esteemed civilian honours, an annual announcement eagerly anticipated on the eve of Republic Day. This esteemed recognition is a testament to remarkable accomplishments across various fields, exercised with a sense of duty and public service. The ceremony is held at Rashtrapati Bhavan and this year the Hon’ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu presented the awards to the recipients on March 22, 2023.

The process of selecting awardees involves the formation of the Padma Awards Committee, a body reconstituted annually by the Prime Minister. This process is transparent, welcoming nominations from the public, even allowing self-nominations. The rich history and significance of these awards trace back to their inception in 1954 when the Government of India introduced the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan. The latter was initially divided into three classes: Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg. In 1955, these were rechristened as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, through a Presidential Notification.

The People’s Padma campaign is a distinctive effort introduced by MyGov with the aim of enhancing awareness and understanding regarding the remarkable journeys of those who have received the Padma Awards. By engaging in this Padma Awards Quiz and Wall of Fame drive, individuals are presented with a chance to acquaint themselves with the unwavering endeavours of Indian champions who have left a noteworthy imprint on the nation. This quiz offers an interactive platform for assessing one’s knowledge and the top 20 winners will be granted a unique chance to attend the exclusive Padma Awards Ceremony hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, making it an unparalleled opportunity in their lifetime.

History and Significance

The Padma Awards, established in 1954, are consistently unveiled each year on Republic Day, barring only minor interruptions during 1978, 1979, and 1993 to 1997. The awards encompass three categories:

• Padma Vibhushan: Celebrating exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: Honouring distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri: Recognizing distinguished service.

These awards embrace a broad spectrum of individuals, surpassing race, occupation, position, or gender, although government employees (other than doctors and scientists) are excluded. The purpose is to commend remarkable achievements and outstanding service across diverse disciplines and activities.

List of Fields of Interest

1.       Art: Encompassing music, painting, sculpture, photography, cinema, and theatre.

2.       Social work: Including charitable service, community projects, and social services.

3.       Public Affairs: Involving law, public life, politics, and governance.

4.       Science & Engineering: Encompassing space engineering, nuclear science, information technology, and research.

5.       Trade & Industry: Encompassing economic activities, banking, management, and business.

6.       Medicine: Incorporating medical research, specialisation in various medical practices, and healthcare.

7.       Literature & Education: Embracing journalism, teaching, literature, poetry, and education promotion.

8.       Civil Service: Recognizing excellence in administration and public service.

9.       Sports: Celebrating achievements in sports, athletics, adventure, and yoga.

10.   Others: Encompassing diverse domains like Indian culture, human rights, and wildlife conservation.

Rules and Statutes

These awards are usually not bestowed posthumously, with exceptions for highly deserving cases. Additionally, a higher category of Padma award requires a minimum five-year interval since receiving the previous award, though exceptions can be made for exceptional cases. The President of India presents these awards in March/April, accompanied by a certificate (Sanad) and a medallion. Recipients also receive a miniature/duplicate medallion for ceremonial functions. The names of those who receive the Padma awards are listed in the Gazette of India.

The number of annual awards, excluding posthumous awards and awards to non-resident Indians/foreigners/Overseas Citizens of India, is capped at 120. Importantly, these awards do not confer any titles and cannot be used as name prefixes or suffixes.

Selection Process

The selection process for these distinguished honours is meticulous. Recommendations are invited from May 1st to September 15th every year from various sources including state governments, Union Territory administrations, Indian government ministries and departments, Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan awardees, and Institutes of Excellence. The Padma Awards Committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and comprising eminent individuals, evaluates the recommendations. The selection criteria do not adhere to rigid formulas but consider an individual’s lifetime achievements and their impact on public service. Integrity checks are conducted on the chosen individuals by government investigative bodies.

In the end, the Padma Awards are conferred based on the Padma Awards Committee’s recommendations, subject to approval by the Prime Minister and the President. These awards are unveiled annually on the eve of Republic Day, a celebration of outstanding contributions that enrich the fabric of India’s society and honour exceptional service across various domains.

List of Recipients 2023

Out of the 106 recipients, 19 are female, 2 individuals falling under the category of Foreigners/Non-Resident Indians (NRI)/Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)/Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and 7 posthumous awardees.

I trust that this information proves valuable to update your General awareness. May this resource contribute positively in enhancing your prospects for success in any Upcoming Government competitive exams. Wish you Good Luck!

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