**Summary:**
The Ministry of Home Affairs has opened nominations for the Padma Awards 2026, which will be announced on Republic Day, January 26, 2026. The nomination period began on March 15, 2025, and will close on July 31, 2025. Nominations must be submitted online through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in).
The Padma Awards, comprising the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, are among India's highest civilian honors. Established in 1954, these awards recognize distinguished and exceptional achievements/service across diverse fields, including Art, Literature and Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs, Civil Service, and Trade and Industry. Eligibility extends to all individuals regardless of race, occupation, position, or sex, with the exception of government servants (excluding doctors and scientists) and those working with PSUs.
The government encourages citizen participation in the nomination process, including self-nomination, with a focus on identifying deserving individuals from underrepresented groups such as women, weaker sections of society, Scheduled Castes/Tribes, and persons with disabilities, who are engaged in selfless service. Nominations should include all required details as per the specified format on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal, including a citation (maximum 800 words) highlighting the nominee's distinguished achievements/service. Additional information is available on the Ministry of Home Affairs website (https://mha.gov.in) under 'Awards and Medals' and on the Padma Awards Portal (https://padmaawards.gov.in). The statutes and rules governing the awards can be accessed at https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx.
Key Entities Referenced
Padma Awards: A set of prestigious civilian awards in India.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for internal security and related matters, overseeing the Padma Awards.
Republic Day: A national holiday in India celebrated on January 26th.
Rashtriya Puraskar Portal: The online portal (https:awards.gov.in) for submitting nominations for the Padma Awards.
Padma Vibhushan: The highest category of the Padma Awards.
Padma Bhushan: The second highest category of the Padma Awards.
Padma Shri: The third highest category of the Padma Awards.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi. The agency responsible for the press release.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Nominations for Padma Awards–2026 open till 31st
July, 2025
Posted On: 02 JUL 2025 4:15PM by PIB Delhi
Nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards-2026 to be announced on the occasion of Republic
th st
Day, 2026 have started on 15 March, 2025. The last date for nominations for Padma Awards is 31 July,
2025. The nominations/recommendations for Padma Awards will only be received online on the Rashtriya
Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in ).
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
occasion of the Republic Day every year. The Award seeks to recognize ‘work of distinction’ and is
given for distinguished and exceptional achievements/service in all fields/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. 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/recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made
to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst
women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the
society.
The nominations/recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format
available on the above said Portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words),
clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements/service of the person
recommended in her/his respective field/discipline.
Details in this regard are also available under the heading 'Awards and Medals' on the website of Ministry of
Home Affairs (https://mha.gov.in) and on the Padma Awards Portal (https://padmaawards.gov.in). The
statutes and rules relating to these awards are available on the website with the link
https://padmaawards.gov.in/AboutAwards.aspx
***
RK/VV/ASH/PR/PS
(Release ID: 2141528)