Padma Vibhushan

Also known as Padma Vibhushan in public affairs, Padma Vibhushan in medicine, Padma Vibhushan in civil service, Padma Vibhushan in other fields, Padma Vibhushan in sports, Padma Vibhushan in social work

second highest civilian award of the Republic of India

Key facts

Type: National Civilian
Country: India
Presented by: President of India
Obverse: A centrally located lotus flower is embossed and the text "Padma (पद्म)" written in Devanagari script is placed above and the text "Vibhushan (विभूषण)" is placed below the lotus.
Reverse: A platinum Emblem of India placed in the centre with the national motto of India, " Satyameva Jayate " (Truth alone triumphs) in Devanagari Script
Established: 1954 ; 72 years ago ( 1954 )
First award: 1954 Satyendra Nath Bose Nandalal Bose Zakir Husain Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher V. K. Krishna Menon Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
Final award: 2026 Dharmendra (posthumous) K. T. Thomas N. Rajam P. Narayanan V. S. Achuthanandan (posthumous)
Website: padmaawards .gov .in
Next higher: Bharat Ratna (civilian)
Next lower

Article

The Padma Vibhushan (IAST: Padma Vibhūṣaṇa pronounced [pəd̪mə ʋɪbʱuːɕəɳə], lit. 'Lotus Grandeur') is the second-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna. Instituted on 2 January 1954, the award is given for "exceptional and distinguished service." All persons without distinction of race, occupation, position or sex are eligible for these awards. However, government servants including those working with public sector undertakings, except doctors and scientists, are not eligible for these Awards. As of 2024, the award has been bestowed on 336 individuals, including 31 posthumous and 21 non-citizen recipients.

During 1 May and 15 September of every year, the recommendations for the award are submitted to the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister of India. The recommendations are received from all the state and union territory governments, the Ministries of the Government of India, the Bharat Ratna and previous Padma Vibhushan award recipients, the Institutes of Excellence, the Ministers, the Chief Ministers and the Governors of State, and the Members of Parliament including private individuals. The committee later submits their recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President of India for further approval. The award recipients are announced on Republic Day.