India’s Highest Honors: The story of Padma Awards and its first winners

The Padma Awards given by the Government of India to citizens for their special contribution are today counted among the most prestigious civilian honors of the country. But do you know who was the first to receive this award?

New Delhi: The Padma Awards given by the Government of India to citizens for their special contribution are today counted among the most prestigious civilian honors of the country. But do you know that when these awards were started for the first time in 1954, which personalities received this honor? Let's know about those first Padma Award winners who played an important role in the reconstruction of India and made the beginning of Padma Awards historic.

The Padma Awards were started in the year 1954. The first Padma Award was given to Satyendra Nath Bose. Satyendra Nath Bose was first awarded the Padma Vibhushan Award in 1954. In the same year 2025, Nandlal Bose, Zakir Hussain, Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher and VK Krishna Menon were also given Padma Vibhushan, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

Inception of Padma Awards

The Government of India established three civilian honors in 1954. Bharat Ratna which is given as the highest civilian honor, second Padma Vibhushan and third Padma Bhushan. At that time there was no Padma Shri, it was added in 1955. All three were established. Initially Padma Vibhushan was separated into three categories, named Padma Vibhushan First Class, Padma Vibhushan Second Class and Padma Vibhushan Third Class. Later in 1955, these categories were reorganized as separate awards with names like Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

First Padma Vibhushan Winners Of 1954

The prominent personalities who were awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1954 were.

Sir Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan – great educationist, philosopher and later became Vice President and President of India.

C. Rajagopalachari – freedom fighter and first and last Governor General of India.

Dr. Bhagwan Das – famous for his contribution in the field of Indian philosophy and education.

Neelakanta Srinivas Belavadi – outstanding contribution in science and research

Balasaheb Kehar – contribution in the field of medicine and health care.

All of them were honored by the then President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.

What Was Their Contribution?

Radhakrishnan gave international recognition to Indian philosophy. His teaching style and ideology strengthened the intellectual base of modern India.
Raja Gopalachari was not only a freedom fighter but he also brought Indian culture to the masses by translating Ramayana and Mahabharata into Tamil.

Dr. Bhagwan Das's work was very important in reconstructing Indian philosophy and interpreting the scriptures.

Neelkanth Belavadi institutionalized science education in India. Balasaheb Kehar played a pioneering role in strengthening the rural health system.

Today the number of Padma awards has increased and hundreds of talents from various fields are honored every year. But the personalities who received this award in its inception are a source of inspiration and pride for India. Their life and work teach us that the recognition of true talent and dedication is never dependent on time or boundaries.

This is not just a story of awards, but the struggle and contribution of the builders of a new nation. Whenever we talk about Padma awards, it becomes important to remember those first winners who played an important role in shaping India.