Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 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 announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year. These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April every year.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="HISTORY AND RELEVANCE" i_icon_fontawesome="fa fa-history" i_color="custom" i_size="lg" title_align="separator_align_left" align="align_left" color="custom" style="double" border_width="2" add_icon="true" i_custom_color="#e5002d" accent_color="#e5002d"][vc_column_text]The Government of India instituted two civilian awards-Bharat Ratna & Padma Vibhushan in 1954. The latter has three classes namely Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg. These are subsequently renamed as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri vide Presidential Notification issued on January 8, 1955. All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards. The award is normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, the Government considers giving an award posthumously. A higher category of Padma award is conferred to a person only where a period of at least five years has elapsed since conferment of the earlier Padma award. However, in highly deserving cases, a relaxation can be made by the Awards Committee. The awardees are presented a Sanad (certificate) signed by the President and a medallion. The recipients are also given a small replica of the medallion, which they can wear during any ceremonial/State functions etc., if the awardees so desire. The names of the awardees are published in the Gazette of India on the day of the presentation ceremony. The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="WHO DECIDES" i_icon_fontawesome="fa fa-volume-up" i_color="custom" i_size="lg" title_align="separator_align_left" align="align_left" color="custom" style="double" border_width="2" add_icon="true" i_custom_color="#e5002d" accent_color="#e5002d"][vc_column_text]The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is consitituted by the Prime Minister every year. The Padma Awards Committee is headed by the Cabinet Secretary and includes Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and four to six eminent persons as members. The recommendations of the committee are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President of India for approval.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="196" img_size="medium" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image" css_animation="flipInX"][vc_column_text]Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="212" img_size="medium" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image" css_animation="flipInX"][vc_column_text]Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of high order.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image="186" img_size="medium" add_caption="yes" alignment="center" onclick="link_image" css_animation="flipInX"][vc_column_text]Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field.[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title="ILLUSTRATIVE LIST OF THE FIELDS" i_icon_fontawesome="fa fa-list-ol" i_color="custom" title_align="separator_align_left" color="custom" style="double" border_width="2" add_icon="true" i_custom_color="#e5002d" accent_color="#e5002d"][vc_column_text]
- Art (includes Music, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Cinema, Theatre etc.)
- Social work (includes social service, charitable service, contribution in community projects etc.)
- Public Affairs (includes Law, Public Life, Politics etc.)
- Science & Engineering (includes Space Engineering, Nuclear Science, Information Technology, Research & Development in Science & its allied subjects etc.)
- Trade & Industry (includes Banking, Economic Activities, Management, Promotion of Tourism, Business etc.)
- Medicine (includes medical research, distinction/specialization in Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Sidhha, Allopathy, Naturopathy etc.)
- Literature & Education (includes Journalism, Teaching, Book composing, Literature, Poetry, Promotion of education, Promotion of literacy, Education Reforms etc.)
- Civil Service (includes distinction/excellence in administration etc. by Government Servants)
- Sports (includes popular Sports, Athletics, Adventure, Mountaineering, promotion of sports, Yoga etc.)
- Others(fields not covered above and may include propagation of Indian Culture, protection of Human Rights, Wild Life protection/conservation etc.)
