The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honors presented by the President of India. These prestigious awards are conferred every year on Republic Day, recognizing exceptional and distinguished service across various fields of activity. The Padma Awards include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards, each honoring individuals for their extraordinary contributions to society in different domains such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, medicine, trade, industry, literature, sports, and more.
In 2025, the President of India has approved the conferment of 139 Padma Awards. This includes 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among these recipients, 23 are women, 10 belong to the categories of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, and 13 awards are posthumous.
Let’s dive into the detailed list of recipients across these categories and explore the diverse range of contributions they’ve made to society.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees (7)
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in any field. In 2025, the following individuals have been honored with this prestigious award:
- Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy – Medicine – Telangana
- Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar – Public Affairs – Chandigarh
- Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia – Art – Gujarat
- Shri Lakshminarayana Subramaniam – Art – 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
These awardees represent a spectrum of disciplines, from medicine and art to public affairs, literature, and trade.
Padma Bhushan Awardees (19)
The Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of high order in any field. The following individuals have been honored with this award in 2025:
- Shri A Surya Prakash – Literature and Education (Journalism) – Karnataka
- Shri Anant Nag – Art – Karnataka
- Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) – Literature and Education – Delhi
- Shri Jatin Goswami – Art – Assam
- Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram – Medicine – Kerala
- Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit – Archaeology – Delhi
- Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs – Maharashtra
- Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti – Trade and Industry – Tamil Nadu
- Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna – Art – Andhra Pradesh
- Shri P R Sreejesh – Sports – Kerala
- Shri Pankaj Patel – Trade and Industry – Gujarat
- Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) – Art – Maharashtra
- Shri Rambahadur Rai – Literature and Education (Journalism) – Uttar Pradesh
- Sadhvi Ritambhara – Social Work – Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Shekhar Kapur – Art – Maharashtra
- Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar – Art – Tamil Nadu
- Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) – Public Affairs – Bihar
- Shri Vinod Dham – Science and Engineering – United States
- Shri Vinayak Lohani – Social Work – West Bengal
Padma Shri Awardees (113)
The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. Below are some prominent recipients of the Padma Shri award in 2025:
- Shri Arijit Singh – Art – West Bengal
- Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya – Trade and Industry – Maharashtra
- Shri Ashok Kumar Mahapatra – Medicine – Odisha
- Smt. Ashwini Bhide Deshpande – Art – Maharashtra
- Shri Chetan E Chitnis – Science and Engineering – France
- Shri Durga Charan Ranbir – Art – Odisha
- Shri Farooq Ahmad Mir – Art – Jammu & Kashmir
- Smt. Gita Upadhyay – Literature and Education – Assam
- Shri Gokul Chandra Das – Art – West Bengal
- Shri Hriday Narayan Dixit – Literature and Education – Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Inivalappil Mani Vijayan – Sports – Kerala
- Shri Joynacharan Bathari – Art – Assam
- Shri M D Srinivas – Science and Engineering – Tamil Nadu
- Shri Naren Gurung – Art – Sikkim
- Smt. Nirmala Devi – Art – Bihar
- Shri Nitin Nohria – Literature and Education – United States
- Shri Onkar Singh Pahwa – Trade and Industry – Punjab
- Smt. Radha Bahin Bhatt – Social Work – Uttarakhand
- Shri R G Chandramogan – Trade and Industry – Tamil Nadu
- Shri Surinder Kumar Vasal – Science and Engineering – Delhi
Key Highlights:
- Women Awardees: 23 women have received the Padma Awards across various categories.
- Posthumous Awardees: 13 awardees have been honored posthumously, recognizing their lasting contributions even after their passing.
- Foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI Awardees: 10 individuals from these categories have received the Padma Awards, acknowledging their impact beyond India’s borders.
- Fields of Excellence: The Padma Awards span numerous fields, from art and culture to science, engineering, medicine, and social work.
Why Are the Padma Awards Important?
The Padma Awards are a symbol of the nation’s appreciation for individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society. These awards not only honor personal achievements but also inspire others to contribute positively to their fields. From advancing medical research to excelling in the arts, the awardees represent the rich diversity and talent that define India and the world.
Conclusion: A Proud Moment for India
The Padma Awards for 2025 are a testament to the diverse and extraordinary contributions made by individuals in various fields. Whether through their pioneering work in science, their devotion to the arts, or their selfless social work, each awardee has left an indelible mark on society. As the awards are conferred in March or April each year at a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, these honors continue to inspire future generations to strive for excellence.
For more information on Padma Awards and their significance, stay tuned to official announcements and celebrate the achievements of these exceptional individuals.
Padma Awards 2025: Who Took Home India’s Highest Civilian Honor?”
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