Padma Awards 2025 Announcement:
The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2025, one of the country’s highest civilian honors, to recognize exceptional contributions in various fields. This year, a total of 139 awards were conferred, including 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. The Padma Awards celebrate individuals whose outstanding efforts have enriched the nation and inspired millions across the globe.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, are given in three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: Recognizes distinguished service of high order.
- Padma Shri: Honoring distinguished service in any field.
These awards cover a range of disciplines such as arts, medicine, public affairs, science, social work, sports, and more. The nominations go through a rigorous process to ensure that the honorees represent true excellence.
Padma Vibhushan Recipients 2025
The highest civilian award of this year, the Padma Vibhushan, has been awarded to seven luminaries for their extraordinary contributions:
- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine): For his pioneering work in gastroenterology (Telangana).
- Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs): The former Chief Justice of India.
- Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Art): Renowned Kathak dancer and choreographer.
- Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art): Violin maestro celebrated globally.
- MT Vasudevan Nair (Literature and Education): Malayalam writer and filmmaker.
- Osamu Suzuki (Trade and Industry): Visionary leader of Suzuki Motor Corporation.
- Sharda Sinha (Art): Legendary Bhojpuri folk singer.
Padma Bhushan Recipients 2025
The Padma Bhushan has been conferred on 19 eminent individuals for their distinguished contributions in their respective fields:
- Surya Prakash (Literature and Education)
- Anant Nag (Art)
- Bibek Debroy (Posthumous) (Literature and Education)
- Jatin Goswami (Art)
- Jose Chacko Periappuram (Medicine)
- Kailash Nath Dikshit (Posthumous) (Archaeology)
- Manohar Joshi (Posthumous) (Public Affairs)
- Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti (Trade and Industry)
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art) – Celebrated Telugu actor and politician.
- PR Sreejesh (Sports) – Indian hockey goalkeeper.
- Pankaj Patel (Trade and Industry)
- Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) (Art) – Iconic ghazal singer.
- Rambahadur Rai (Literature and Education – Journalism)
- Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work)
- S Ajith Kumar (Art)
- Shekhar Kapur (Art) – Renowned filmmaker.
- Shobana Chandrakumar (Art) – Bharatanatyam exponent.
- Sushil Kumar Modi (Public Affairs)
- Vinod Dham (Science and Engineering) – Father of the Pentium chip.
Padma Shri Recipients 2025
This year, 113 individuals have been recognized with the Padma Shri for their exceptional contributions to society. Here are 25 notable recipients across diverse fields:
- Jonas Masetti (Spirituality – Hindu) – Brazil
- Harvinder Singh (Sports – Divyang – Archery)
- Rohan Bopanna (Sports – Tennis)
- Joshna Chinappa (Sports – Squash)
- Bhim Singh Bhavesh (Social Work – Dalit)
- Neerja Bhatla (Medicine – Gynaecology)
- P Datchanamoorthy (Music – Thavil)
- L Hangthing (Agriculture – Fruit): For empowering farmers in Nagaland.
- Jagdish Joshila (Literature and Education)
- Shaikha AJ Al Sabah (Medicine – Yoga) – Kuwait
- Bheru Singh Chouhan (Art – Vocals – Nirgun)
- Jumde Yomgam Gamlin (Social Work – Service)
- Hariman Sharma (Agriculture – Apple): Developed the HRMN 99 apple variety.
- Naren Gurung (Art – Vocals – Folk – Nepali)
- Vilas Dangre (Medicine – Homeopathy)
- Venkappa Ambaji Sugatekar (Art – Vocals – Folk – Gondhali)
- Hugh and Colleen Gantzer (Literature and Education – Travel): Pioneering travel writers.
- Sally Holkar (Trade and Industry – Textile): Reviving Indian handloom traditions.
- Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli (Literature and Education – Marathi)
- Gokul Chandra Das (Art – Music – Dhak)
- Libia Lobo Sardesai (Social Work – Freedom Fighter)
- Radha Bahin Bhatt (Social Work – Gandhian)
- Nirmala Devi (Art – Embroidery – Sujani)
- Joynacharan Bathari (Art – Music – Folk – Dimasa)
- Velu Aasaan (Art – Music – Instrument – Parai)
Special Mentions
Telugu Padma Awardees
The Telugu-speaking states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana proudly celebrate the recognition of their cultural and social contributors:
- Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Padma Vibhushan – Medicine)
- Mandakrishna Madiga (Padma Shri – Public Affairs, Telangana)
- Nandamuri Balakrishna (Padma Bhushan – Arts, Andhra Pradesh)
- KL Krishna (Padma Shri – Literature, Andhra Pradesh)
- Madugula Nagaphani Sharma (Padma Shri – Arts, Andhra Pradesh)
- Miryala Apparao (Padma Shri – Arts, Andhra Pradesh)
- Vaddhiraju Raghavendracharya (Padma Shri – Literature, Andhra Pradesh)
Recognizing Excellence Across Disciplines
The Padma Awards 2025 highlight India’s incredible diversity and talent across multiple disciplines:
- Science and Technology: Pioneers like Vinod Dham have contributed to technological innovation globally.
- Art and Culture: Artists such as Lakshminarayana Subramaniam and Sharda Sinha continue to preserve and elevate Indian heritage.
- Sports: Icons like Harvinder Singh and Joshna Chinappa inspire the next generation to dream big.
- Social Work and Public Affairs: Individuals such as Mandakrishna Madiga and Sarojini Singh are making a tangible impact in their communities.
Each recipient has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to their field, often overcoming significant challenges.
Celebrating India’s Spirit of Excellence
The Padma Awards 2025 embody the spirit of India, celebrating excellence across diverse domains. From pioneering contributions in medicine and agriculture to preserving art, culture, and social welfare, this year’s awardees exemplify dedication and service.
The awards remind us of the power of individual excellence and collective impact, inspiring future generations to contribute to nation-building. Heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees for their extraordinary achievements!
