Padma Awards: How are the winners selected? What are the criteria? Know the full process

The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours conferred by the Government of India. These awards recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions in various fields such as art, literature, science, education, sports, medicine, social service, and public affairs. In recent years, the central government has introduced significant changes to enhance the transparency and inclusivity of the selection process for these awards. Below is an overview of the eligibility criteria and the nomination process for the Padma Awards:

New Delhi: The Government of India introduced civilian awards like Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri in the year 1954. Their purpose is to honor citizens who have made distinctive and extraordinary contributions in various fields, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

These awards are given to those who have done outstanding work in fields like art, literature, education, science, engineering, medicine, social work, public administration, sports, business, and industry.

Opportunity for everyone without discrimination

According to the Padma Awards website, any person can be nominated for these awards, irrespective of his background, occupation, religion, gender, or social status. However, serving employees, doctors, and scientists of the central and state governments are not eligible for this award as long as they remain in office. That is, serving government officials or employees are only eligible for this award after retirement or in special circumstances.

Online portal for transparency in the selection process

To make the selection process of Padma Awards transparent and public participation-based, the Central Government launched an online portal, padmaawards.gov.in, on 1 May 2016. Any person, institution, ministry, or state government can nominate a deserving person on this portal. The person recommending nomination has to provide information like self-identification, Aadhaar number, and contact details. This has reduced the possibility of fake nomination or bias.

The Prime Minister constitutes a selection committee every year

The Prime Minister constitutes a selection committee every year to consider the nominations for Padma Awards. This committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, the President's Secretary, and 4-6 eminent persons. All the nominations received are handed over to the selection committee. They review them seriously. The recommendations of the committee are sent to the prime minister and then to the president through the Home Ministry.

The announcement is made on the eve of Republic Day

The names are finalized by the selection committee. They are approved by the president and prime minister of India. After this, these awards are officially announced every year on the eve of Republic Day (25 January).

Common citizens can also nominate

A special thing in this entire process is that now not only state governments or ministries, but also common citizens can nominate a deserving person for the Padma Award. This will help those unknown people of the society to get nominated.