Nominations, recommendations for Padma awards-2026 kick starts now

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has started the process of nominations and recommendations for the Padma awards-2026 to be announced on the eve of next year’s Republic Day.
The last date for nominations and recommendations for the Padma awards is July 31, 2025 and these would be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in ), an official statement said on Friday.
The Padma awards — namely Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri — are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country. Instituted in 1954, these awards are announced on the eve of the Republic Day every year.
The award seeks to recognise ‘work of distinction’ and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements and service in all fields and disciplines such as art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry etc.
All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. The government servants, including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for Padma awards.
The government is committed to transform Padma awards into “People’s Padma”. All citizens are, therefore, requested to make nominations and recommendations, including self-nomination, the statement said.