What are the 3 Padma Awards and how are they different?
Like every year, this year too, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the list of this year’s Padma awardees on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day. As we all know, Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian awards of the country and they are given in three categories, namely: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. The Awards are given in various fields of disciplines such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, sports, education, medicine, trade and industry, civil service and a few more.
As part of 2022’s Padma Awards, 128 individuals from such fields have been chosen by the Prime Minister’s appointed Padma Awards Committe for their outstanding contribution and achievements in their respective domains of work. Some of the notable names of this year’s Padma Shri recipients include singer Sonu Nigam and Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra. Among the Padma Bhushan awardees are Covid-19 vaccine, aka Covaxin manufacturer Bharat Biotech’s chairman Krishna Ella and his co-founder wife Suchitra Ella and former Chief Minister of West Bengal Buddhdeb Bhattacharjee among others. Padma Vibhushan was conferred posthumously to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Kalyan Singh among others. In this spirit, let us closely look at the difference between the three Padma Awards.
Padma Vibhushan
Established in 1954, Padma Vibhushan is India’s second highest civilian honour right after Bharat Ratna. Padma Vibhushan was sub-categorised into ‘Pahela Varg’, ‘Dusra Varg’ and ‘Tisra Varg’ during its introduction. However, it was soon changed into Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri in 1955. This award is conferred for exceptional and distinguished service in any discipline by the President of India. Winners receive a certificate and a medal with a lotus inscription at the centre and the words “Desh Seva” is etched on its front. Some of the first recipients of Padma Vibhushan were Nanda Lal Bose, Zakir Hussain and VK Krishna Menon.
Padma Bhushan
Established in 1955, Padma Bhushan is India’s third highest civilian honour after Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan and is conferred for distinguished service of high order. Individuals working in PSUs (Public Sector Undertakings) are exempted from his award, except doctors and scientists. Winners receive a certificate and a medal as part of this award from the President of India. Some of the first Padma Bhushan awardees were Sukumar Sen and Homi J Bhaba.
Padma Shri
Established in 1955, Padma Shri is India’s fourth highest civilian honour right after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan. Awardees are conferred for distinguished service in any field with a medallion and a certificate by the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhawan every year on the months of March/ April. The winners also receive duplicate medals to wear during any ceremonies. The names of the recipients are also inscribed in the Indian Gazette. Some of the first recipients of Padma Shri were Achamma Mathai, Amalprava Das, Asha Devi Aryanayakam, Tarlok Singh, Surinder Kumar Dey and K Shankar Pillai.