New Delhi: The Government has invited nominations for the Padma Awards 2026, with the submission window open till July 31, 2025.

The nominations, which began on March 15, are to be submitted exclusively through the online Rashtriya Puraskar Portal at awards.gov.in.

Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—are among the highest civilian honours in India.

These awards are announced annually on Republic Day and are conferred for exceptional service and achievements across various disciplines including art, literature, education, science, engineering, social work, medicine, public affairs, sports, civil service, and industry.

The government aims to transform the awards into “People's Padma,” encouraging nominations from all citizens, including self-nominations. Efforts are being made to identify unsung heroes and individuals from underrepresented communities such as women, SCs, STs, persons with disabilities, and those rendering selfless service at the grassroots.

Government employees, including those in PSUs, are generally ineligible for the awards, with exceptions made for doctors and scientists.

Nominations must follow the specified format and include a detailed citation (up to 800 words) highlighting the nominee's exceptional contributions. Complete guidelines and nomination forms are available on the official Padma Awards Portal (padmaawards.gov.in) and the Ministry of Home Affairs website (mha.gov.in) under the 'Awards and Medals' section.

The government has urged citizens to participate actively in the process by recommending deserving individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.