Padma Awards 2020

In News

• The President of India has presented the Padma Awards to the recipient for the year 2020.
  • 7 Padma Vibhushans, 10 Padma Bhushan and 102 Padma Shri awards.

Padma Awards 

• About:
  • Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India.
  • Announced annually on the eve of Republic Day (26th January). 
  • Awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion.
  • The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India
  • Does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name. (they are not prohibited by Article 18)
• Objectives:
  • To recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines of public service. 
• History:
  • Initially two civilian awards i.e Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan were instituted in 1954.
  • Later had three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg.
  • Subsequently renaming was done as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in 1955.
• Categories:
  • The Awards are given in three categories: 
  • Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service)
  • Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) 
  • Padma Shri (distinguished service).
• Disciplines:
  • Art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service etc.
• Selection Process:
  • Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. 
  • Even self-nomination can be made; without any distinction.
  • Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these awards.

Bharat Ratna

• Highest civilian award of the country (exceptional service of the highest order in any field).
• It is treated on a different footing from Padma Award.
• Recommendations: PM to the President of India.
• Numbers: Restricted to a maximum of three in a particular year. 
• Later, it was awarded to Bhupen Hazarika, Pranab Mukherjee, and Nanaji Deshmukh in 2019.

Source: PIB