Context
Recently, the President of India presented the Padma Awards to 119 recipients of 2020 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
About the Padma Awards
- The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day (26th January).
- It was established in 1954, without a temporary interruption (suspended) between 1978, 1979, and 1993 to 1997.
- It is one of the highest civilian honors of India. A higher category of Padma award can be conferred on a person only where at least five years have elapsed since the conferment of the earlier Padma award.
- It seeks to recognize success in all areas of work or sectors in which the public service element is involved.
- Prizes are awarded in various disciplines/fields of activities such as arts, social work, social affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, social services, etc.
Categories: Prizes are awarded in three categories-
- Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service)
- Padma Vibhushan tops the list of Padma medals followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
- Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order)
- Padma Shri (distinguished service)
Selection process
- The awards are presented with recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year.
- The awards presented by the President of India are usually in March / April every year.
