The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated on Monday that the public can submit online nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards 2024 through September 15, 2023. Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri are among the highest civilian honours in the country after the Bharat Ratna.
“Online nominations/recommendations for the Padma Awards 2024 to be announced on the occasion of Republic Day, 2024 have opened on 1st May 2023. The last date for nominations for Padma Awards is September 15, 2023. The nominations/recommendations for Padma Awards will be received online on the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal (https://awards.gov.in ),” the MHA said in a statement.
These Awards, which were established in 1954, are presented each year on the occasion of Republic Day. Padma Awards seek to recognise ‘work of distinction’ and are granted for outstanding and extraordinary achievements, service in all fields, disciplines, such as art, literature, and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil service, trade and industry, and so on.
These Awards are open to all people, regardless of race, occupation, rank, or gender. Except for doctors and scientists, government employees, including those working for PSUs, are not eligible for Padma Awards.
“The Government is committed to transforming Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”. All citizens are, therefore, requested to make nominations and recommendations, including self-nomination. Concerted efforts may be made to identify talented persons whose excellence and achievements really deserve to be recognized from amongst women, weaker sections of the society, SCs & STs, divyang persons and who are doing selfless service to the society,” said the statement.
“The nominations and recommendations should contain all relevant details specified in the format available on the above said Portal, including a citation in narrative form (maximum 800 words), clearly bringing out the distinguished and exceptional achievements/service of the person recommended in her/his respective field/discipline,” the statement added.