Nominations for Padma Awards 2027 Open; Apply Online Till July 31

The Government of India has invited nominations and recommendations for the Padma Awards 2027, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. The nomination process began on March 15, 2026, and the last date for submitting entries is July 31, 2026.

The awards will be announced on the occasion of Republic Day 2027.

According to the official notification, all nominations and recommendations will be accepted only through the online Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

The Padma Awards include three categories:

Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among the most prestigious civilian honours in India and are presented annually to individuals who have made remarkable contributions in their respective fields.

Awards for Excellence Across All Sectors

The Padma Awards recognise “work of distinction” and exceptional achievements in a wide range of disciplines.

These include:

• Art
• Literature and Education
• Sports
• Medicine
• Social Work
• Science and Engineering
• Public Affairs
• Civil Service
• Trade and Industry
• Other fields of public contribution

Officials said the awards are open to all persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or gender.

However, government servants, including employees of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), are generally not eligible, except for doctors and scientists.

Government’s Focus on “People’s Padma”

The Centre has reiterated its commitment to transforming the Padma Awards into “People’s Padma”, encouraging wider public participation in the nomination process.

Citizens from across the country have been urged to submit nominations and recommendations, including self-nominations, to ensure deserving individuals from every corner of society are considered.

The government has especially appealed to citizens to identify and nominate unsung heroes and outstanding contributors from:

Officials said many exceptional individuals working quietly at the grassroots level often remain unrecognised, and the Padma Awards aim to honour such contributors.

What Needs to Be Submitted

Applicants and nominators must submit all relevant details in the prescribed online format available on the portal.

A key requirement is a citation in narrative form of up to 800 words, clearly explaining the distinguished achievements, service, or contribution of the nominee in their field.

The citation should highlight why the person deserves national recognition and how their work has made a meaningful impact.

Where to Apply

Nominations can be submitted online through the official Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

Additional details related to the Padma Awards are available under the Awards and Medals section of the Ministry of Home Affairs website as well as the dedicated Padma Awards portal.

The statutes, rules and guidelines governing the awards have also been made available online for public reference.

Growing Public Participation

In recent years, the Padma Awards have increasingly recognised grassroots innovators, social reformers, tribal artists, environmentalists, teachers, doctors and individuals serving society in remote regions.

This has strengthened the image of the honours as awards for ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work.

The government’s continued emphasis on public nominations is expected to further broaden representation and ensure that deserving achievers from rural and marginalised communities receive national recognition.

Important Dates

Citizens wishing to nominate deserving individuals have been advised to complete the process well before the deadline.