Padma Awardees list 2021: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri

The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.

‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.

The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954. The Padma Vibhushan had three classes namely ‘Pahela Varg’, ‘Dusra Varg’ and ‘Tisra Varg’. These were subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955.

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In 2021 the President of India has approved conferment of 119 Padma Awards including 1 duo case (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri Awards. 29 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, 16 posthumous awardees and 1 transgender awardee.

Padma Vibhushan

Padma Bhushan

Padma Shri

* In duo case, the award is counted as one.

The Padma Awards are conferred as per the recommendations of the Padma Awards Committee constituted by the Prime Minister every year. The nomination process for the award is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.