Padma Award GD topic

• The Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day (26th January).
• Instituted in the year 1954, it is one of the highest civilian honours of India.
• The Award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines where an element of public service is involved.
• The Awards are given in three categories:

Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service),

Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) and

Padma Shri (distinguished service).

• The Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc.
• The Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
• The awards are presented by the President of India usually in the month of March/April every year.
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
• The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.