Padma Bhushan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Padma Bhushan
Presented by	President of India
Country	India
< Padma Vibhushan "Dusra Varg" (Class II)

The Padma Bhushan is a very important award in India. Its name means 'Lotus Decoration'. It is the third-highest award given to civilians in India. Only the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan are higher. The Padma Shri is a lower award.

This award started on January 2, 1954. It is given to people who have done "excellent service of a high level." Anyone can receive it, no matter their background or gender. This includes government workers, doctors, and scientists. However, people working for government-owned companies usually do not receive it. As of 2025, 1341 people have received the Padma Bhushan. This includes 38 people who received it after they passed away. Also, 101 people who are not Indian citizens have received this award.

The Prime Minister of India sets up a special committee each year. This committee helps decide who should get the award. Suggestions for the award come from many places. These include state governments, government ministries, and even past award winners. Members of Parliament and private citizens can also suggest names. The committee then sends its choices to the Prime Minister and the President of India. The names of the award winners are announced on January 26. This day is known as Republic Day in India.

When the Padma Bhushan first started in 1954, twenty-three people received it. The award was stopped for a short time twice in history. It was paused from July 1977 to January 1980. It was also paused from August 1992 to December 1995. Some people have even refused to accept the award or have returned it.

History of the Padma Bhushan Award

On January 2, 1954, the Indian government announced two new civilian awards. The highest was the Bharat Ratna. Below that was the Padma Vibhushan, which had three levels. These levels were called "Class I," "Class II," and "Class III."

How the Award Changed Over Time

On January 15, 1955, the Padma Vibhushan was changed. It was split into three separate awards. These new awards were the Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Shri. The Padma Vibhushan remained the highest of these three. The Padma Bhushan was the next highest, followed by the Padma Shri.

When the Awards Were Paused

The Padma Bhushan, along with other civilian awards, was stopped twice. The first time was in July 1977. This happened when Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister. He believed the awards were "worthless and political." The awards started again on January 25, 1980, after Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister.

The awards were stopped again in mid-1992. This was because some people went to court. They argued that these awards were like "titles." They said this went against a rule in the Constitution of India. This rule says that the government should not give out titles.

On August 25, 1992, a court temporarily stopped all civilian awards. Later, a special group of five judges from the Supreme Court of India looked at the case. On December 15, 1995, the judges decided that the awards were not "titles." They said the awards could be given out again.

Rules for the Padma Bhushan

The Padma Bhushan is given for "excellent service of a high level." It is given to people regardless of their background, job, or gender. This includes people who work for the government, like doctors and scientists. However, people working for government-owned companies are usually not included. In 1954, the rules did not allow awards to be given after a person had passed away. But this rule changed in 1955. D. C. Kizhakemuri was the first person to receive the award after his death in 1999.

How Award Winners Are Chosen

Suggestions for the award come from many different places. These include all the state and union territory governments in India. They also come from various government ministries. People who have won the Bharat Ratna or Padma Vibhushan can also suggest names. Important groups, ministers, and chief ministers can also make suggestions. Members of Parliament and even regular citizens can suggest names.

These suggestions are sent between May 1 and September 15 each year. A special committee, led by the Prime Minister of India, reviews them. This committee then sends its choices to the Prime Minister and the President for their final approval.

When Awards Are Announced

The names of Padma Bhushan award winners are announced every year on January 26. This is Republic Day in India. The names are then officially published in The Gazette of India. This is a special government newspaper. An award is not official until it is published in the Gazette. If an award is taken back or given back, that is also published. People whose awards are taken back must return their medals.

What the Padma Bhushan Medal Looks Like

The first Padma Bhushan medal, made in 1954, was a silver circle. It was about 35 millimeters (1.37 inches) wide. It had a lotus flower in the middle. The words "Padma Bhushan" were written above the lotus in Devanagari script. The State Emblem of India was on the back. The medal hung from a pink ribbon with two white lines.

Changes to the Medal's Design

About a year later, the design was changed. The medal now is a bronze-colored circle. It is about 44 millimeters (1.75 inches) wide and 3 millimeters (0.125 inches) thick. It still has a lotus flower in the center on the front. The words "Padma" are above the lotus, and "Bhushan" is below it.

On the back, you can see the State Emblem of India. Below it, the national motto of India, "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs), is written. The edges and all the raised parts of the medal are made of gold. The words "Padma Bhushan" are also gold. The medal hangs from a pink ribbon with a wide white stripe in the middle.

The Padma Bhushan medal is ranked fifth in the order of how medals are worn. These medals are made at the Alipore Mint in Kolkata. Other important awards like the Bharat Ratna and Param Vir Chakra are also made there.

List of Awardees

See also

In Spanish: Premio Padma Bhushan para niños