Padma Shri Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Padma Shri


Country	India
Type	National Civilian
Ribbon
Obverse	A centrally located lotus flower is embossed and the text "Padma" written in Devanagari script is placed above and the text "Shri" is placed below the lotus.
Reverse	A platinum State Emblem of India placed in the centre with the national motto of India, "Satyameva Jayate" (Truth alone triumphs) in Devanagari Script
Statistics
Established	1954; 71 years ago (1954)
Precedence
Next (higher)	Kirti Chakra (military) Padma Bhushan (civilian)
Next (lower)	Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

The Padma Shri is a very important award in India. Its name means 'Lotus Honour'. It is the fourth-highest award given to civilians in India. The three awards higher than it are the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Padma Bhushan.

This award was started on January 2, 1954. It is given to people who have made special contributions in many areas. These areas include arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service, and public affairs. The Government of India gives out this award every year on India's Republic Day.

History of the Padma Shri Award
What the Medal Looks Like
People Who Declined the Award
See also

History of the Padma Shri Award

Padma Shri certificate given to Telugu journalist Turlapaty Kutumba Rao

The Padma Awards began in 1954. They honor Indian citizens for their great work in many fields. These fields include the arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, and social service. People who are not Indian citizens but have helped India a lot can also receive this award.

Sometimes, people have said that the way winners are chosen is not fair. They felt that some very talented people were not chosen. To make it fairer, India now has an online system. Regular citizens can suggest people for the Padma awards each year.

What the Medal Looks Like

The Padma Shri medal has a beautiful design. On the front, you can see a lotus flower in the middle. Above the lotus, the word "Padma" is written. Below it, the word "Shri" is written. Both words are in the Devanagari script. "Padma" means lotus in Sanskrit, and "Shri" is a respectful title like 'Mr.' or 'Ms.'.

The medal also has a special pattern on both sides. This pattern is made of shiny bronze. All the raised parts of the medal are made of white gold.

As of 2025, a total of 3448 people have received the Padma Shri award. In 2025, 113 people were given this honor.

People Who Declined the Award

Sometimes, people who are chosen for the Padma Shri award decide not to accept it. There are different reasons for this.

For example, the musician Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee and the sitar player Vilayat Khan both turned down the Padma Shri. Some people, like environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, first refused the Padma Shri. Later, they accepted a higher award, such as the Padma Bhushan or Padma Vibhushan.

Other people have accepted the award at first, but then returned it later. This includes film-maker Aribam Syam Sharma and author Phanishwar Nath 'Renu'.

In 2022, a famous Bengali singer named "Gitashri" Sandhya Mukhopadhyay turned down the Padma Shri. She was 90 years old at the time. Her family said she felt that her long career deserved a higher award. She believed the Padma Shri was more suitable for younger artists. Because she refused, her name was not on the list of awardees for 2022.

Padma Shri facts for kids

Contents

History of the Padma Shri Award

What the Medal Looks Like

People Who Declined the Award

See also