India’s 76th Republic Day: A Celebration of Excellence

On the eve of India’s 76th Republic Day, the nation witnessed the announcement of the prestigious Padma Awards for the year 2025. These awards, among the highest civilian honors in the country, recognize individuals for their exceptional contributions in various fields such as art, literature, medicine, social work, public affairs, and more.  

This year, a total of 139 distinguished personalities were selected for the Padma Awards, comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The list includes individuals from diverse backgrounds, showcasing the rich tapestry of talent and dedication that exists within India.  

Padma Vibhushan Awardees

• Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine, Telangana): A renowned gastroenterologist and hepatologist, Dr. Reddy has made significant contributions to the field of liver diseases.  
• Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs, Chandigarh): A former Chief Justice of India, Justice Khehar is known for his impeccable legal acumen and commitment to upholding the principles of justice.  
• Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Art, Gujarat): A celebrated Bharatanatyam dancer, Smt. Lakhia has dedicated her life to preserving and promoting this classical dance form.  
• Shri Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art, Karnataka): A renowned Carnatic musician, Shri Subramaniam has enthralled audiences worldwide with his soulful renditions.  
• Shri M. T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous, Literature and Education, Kerala): A literary giant, Shri Nair is considered one of the most influential Malayalam writers of his time. His works have been translated into numerous languages and have garnered international acclaim.  
• Shri Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous, Trade and Industry, Japan): The former Chairman of Maruti Suzuki, Shri Suzuki played a pivotal role in revolutionizing the Indian automobile industry.  
• Smt. Sharda Sinha (Posthumous, Art, Bihar): A legendary classical singer, Smt. Sinha was known for her powerful voice and impeccable rendition of Hindustani classical music.  

Padma Bhushan Awardees

• Shri A Surya Prakash (Literature and Education – Journalism, Karnataka): A distinguished journalist and author, Shri Prakash has made significant contributions to Indian journalism.  
• Shri Anant Nag (Art, Karnataka): A celebrated actor and filmmaker, Shri Nag has entertained audiences for decades with his versatile performances.
• Shri Bibek Debroy (Posthumous, Literature and Education, NCT Delhi): A renowned economist and scholar, Shri Debroy served as the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council.
• Shri Jatin Goswami (Art, Assam): A virtuoso on the Sattriya dance, Shri Goswami has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting this unique dance form.
• Shri Jose Chacko Periappuram (Medicine, Kerala): A renowned cardiologist, Dr. Periappuram has made significant contributions to the field of cardiac care.  
• Shri Kailash Nath Dikshit (Others – Archaeology, NCT Delhi): A distinguished archaeologist, Shri Dikshit has made invaluable contributions to the understanding of India’s ancient past.  
• Shri Manohar Joshi (Posthumous, Public Affairs, Maharashtra): A veteran politician, Shri Joshi served as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and played a significant role in the state’s development.  
• Shri Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti (Trade and Industry, Tamil Nadu): A renowned textile entrepreneur, Shri Chetti is credited with reviving the art of Kanchipuram silk sarees.  
• Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art, Andhra Pradesh): A popular Telugu film actor, Shri Balakrishna has entertained audiences for decades with his powerful performances.  
• Shri P R Sreejesh (Sports, Kerala): A former goalkeeper of the Indian hockey team, Shri Sreejesh is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Indian hockey.  
• Shri Pankaj Patel (Trade and Industry, Gujarat): A prominent pharmaceutical entrepreneur, Shri Patel has played a crucial role in the growth of the Indian pharmaceutical industry.  
• Shri Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous, Art, Maharashtra): A legendary ghazal singer, Shri Udhas mesmerized audiences with his soulful voice and captivating stage presence.  
• Shri Rambahadur Rai (Literature and Education – Journalism, Uttar Pradesh): A renowned journalist and author, Shri Rai has made significant contributions to Hindi literature.  
• Sadhvi Ritambhara (Social Work, Uttar Pradesh): A spiritual leader and social reformer, Sadhvi Ritambhara has dedicated her life to empowering women and promoting social causes.  
• Shri S Ajith Kumar (Art, Tamil Nadu): A renowned cinematographer, Shri Ajith Kumar has revolutionized Indian cinema with his innovative and visually stunning work.  
• Shri Shekhar Kapur (Art, Maharashtra): A celebrated filmmaker, Shri Kapur has directed critically acclaimed films that have garnered international recognition.  
• Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar (Art, Tamil Nadu): A celebrated dancer and actress, Ms. Chandrakumar has made significant contributions to Indian cinema and dance.
• Shri Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous, Public Affairs, Bihar): A veteran politician, Shri Modi served as the Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and played a key role in the state’s development.
• Shri Vinod Dham (Science and Engineering, United States of America): A renowned scientist, Shri Dham is credited with being the “Father of the Pentium Chip.”  

Padma Shri Awardees

The list of Padma Shri awardees includes a diverse range of individuals, from artists and musicians to scientists, social workers, and sportspersons. Some of the notable names include:  

• Shri Arijit Singh (Art, West Bengal): A popular playback singer, Shri Singh has enthralled audiences with his soulful voice.  
• Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya (Trade and Industry, Maharashtra): A former Chairperson of the State Bank of India, Smt. Bhattacharya is a prominent figure in the Indian banking sector.  
• Shri R Ashwin (Sports, Tamil Nadu): A renowned cricketer, Shri Ashwin is one of the leading spinners in international cricket.  
• Smt. Neerja Bhatla (Medicine, NCT Delhi): A renowned pediatrician, Dr. Bhatla has made significant contributions to child healthcare.
• Shri Naren Gurung (Art, Sikkim): A master of the Limboo dance, Shri Gurung has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting this unique dance form.  
• Shri P Datchanamoorthy (Art, Puducherry): A renowned Carnatic musician, Shri Datchanamoorthy has enthralled audiences with his soulful renditions.  
• Shri Pandi Ram Mandavi (Art, Chhattisgarh): A master of the Pandwani folk theatre, Shri Mandavi has kept this traditional art form alive.  
• Shri R G Chandramogan (Trade and Industry, Tamil Nadu): A prominent industrialist, Shri Chandramogan has played a crucial role in the growth of the Indian textile industry.  
• Shri Ricky Gyan Kej (Art, Karnataka): A renowned Carnatic musician, Shri Kej has mesmerized audiences with his virtuosity.  
• Shri Sajjan Bhajanka (Trade and Industry, West Bengal): A prominent industrialist, Shri Bhajanka has played a significant role in the development of the Indian tea industry.  

This is just a small glimpse into the remarkable achievements of the Padma awardees for 2025. Their contributions have not only enriched the lives of millions of people but have also inspired generations to strive for excellence. As India celebrates its 76th Republic Day, it is fitting that we honor these individuals and recognize their invaluable contributions to the nation.

Note: This is a summary of the Padma Awards 2025. For a complete list of awardees and their fields of achievement, please refer to the official government sources.