It comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri Awards.

• Awardees include 19 women, 6 persons from Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 16 Posthumous awardees. There are 2 Duo cases (counted as one).

About Padma Awards

• It is one of the highest civilian awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely,
  • Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service;
  • Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order; and
  • Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.
    • The other civilian award is the Bharat Ratna (highest civilian award).
• History: Instituted as Padma Vibhushan in 1954 with three classes, it was renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
  • Conferred annually except interruptions during the years 1978, 1979, and 1993 to 1997.
• Activities/ Disciplines: All fields such as Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science, etc. involving public service.
  • Not eligible: Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists.
• Status: The award does not amount to a title under Article 18(1) and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix. (Balaji Raghavan vs. Union of India, 1996)
  • Article 18(1) prohibits the State from conferring any titles except military and academic distinction.
• Cap: Number of awards is capped at 120 per year (excluding Posthumous and Foreigners/NRI).
• Normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, it is awarded.