Padma Awards 2025: President Murmu honours 71 legends, including Osamu Suzuki, Pankaj Udhas, Sushil Modi, Shekhar Kapur, and more. Full details inside!
New Delhi, April 28, 2025 —In a momentous ceremony at the majestic Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan, 71 distinguished personalities were conferred with the prestigious Padma Awards by President Droupadi Murmu. This year’s honours posthumously celebrate iconic figures like Osamu Suzuki, Pankaj Udhas, and Sushil Kumar Modi, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on India and the world.
Altogether, 139 awardees were announced on the eve of the 76th Republic Day on January 25. The remaining awardees are scheduled to receive their honours in a separate ceremony soon.
2025 Padma Awards: Celebrating Legends Across Fields
This year’s Padma Awards 2025 underline India’s recognition of excellence across diverse fields — from arts and literature to science, sports, and public service.
Among the four Padma Vibhushan awardees were:
- Late Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) – Former Chief of Suzuki Motor Corporation, a pioneer who transformed India’s automotive sector through Maruti Suzuki.
- Lakshminarayana Subramaniam – Renowned violinist and composer.
- Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy – World-leading gastroenterologist and Chairman of Asian Institute of Gastroenterology (AIG Hospitals).
- M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) – Legendary Malayalam author and film director.
Padma Bhushan Awardees Shine Bright
The Padma Bhushan 2025 was conferred upon ten prominent personalities, including:
- Pankaj Udhas (Posthumous) – Celebrated ghazal singer, whose soulful voice touched millions.
- Sushil Kumar Modi (Posthumous) – Former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, a stalwart in Indian politics.
- Shekhar Kapur – Internationally acclaimed film director and actor.
- Nandamuri Balakrishna – Telugu cinema superstar and philanthropist.
- P R Sreejesh – Legendary hockey goalkeeper and sports icon.
- Ajith Kumar – Leading figure in Tamil cinema.
- Vinod Dham – The ‘Father of the Pentium’, an Indian-American tech pioneer.
- Pankaj Patel – Chairperson of Zydus Lifesciences.
Padma Shri 2025: Celebrating Unsung Heroes
A total of 57 individuals received the Padma Shri 2025, acknowledging distinguished service in various fields. Some prominent names include:
- Arundhati Bhattacharya – Former Chairperson of State Bank of India.
- Pawan Kumar Goenka – Visionary industrialist and automobile leader.
- Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli – Marathi author and wildlife researcher known for his unique dictionaries on fauna and flora.
- Bhimavva Doddabalappa Shillekyathara – A trailblazing woman in the art of Togalu Gombeyaata (leather puppetry).
- A.K. Mahapatra – Former Director of AIIMS and SGPGI, renowned neurosurgeon.
- Jaspinder Narula Kaul – Noted Punjabi singer who brought devotional and film music to life.
Honouring Unsung Heroes: Spirit of Freedom
In a tribute to India’s unsung heroes, the government honoured 30 grassroots changemakers, including Libia Lobo Sardesai, a 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa. Sardesai courageously co-founded the underground radio station, Voz da Liberdade (Voice of Freedom), in 1955 to rally against Portuguese rule.
About the Padma Awards
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, recognizing exceptional service in fields like:
- Art & Literature
- Social Work
- Public Affairs
- Science & Engineering
- Trade & Industry
- Medicine
- Sports
- Civil Service
Padma Vibhushan signifies exceptional and distinguished service,
Padma Bhushan signifies distinguished service of high order,
Padma Shri honours distinguished service in any field.
The Padma Awards 2025 stand as a resounding salute to individuals whose dedication, talent, and perseverance have enriched India’s cultural, scientific, and social landscapes. As India marches forward, these awardees inspire millions to dream bigger and serve selflessly.
FAQs on Padma Awards 2025
Who are the major Padma awardees in 2025?
In 2025, major Padma awardees include late Osamu Suzuki (Padma Vibhushan, posthumous), late Pankaj Udhas (Padma Bhushan, posthumous), late Sushil Kumar Modi (Padma Bhushan, posthumous), violinist Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and Telugu superstar Nandamuri Balakrishna, among others.
How many people received Padma Awards in 2025?
A total of 139 personalities were selected for the Padma Awards 2025, out of which 71 awardees were honoured at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 28, 2025. The remaining awardees will be conferred their awards at a separate ceremony.
What are the three categories of Padma Awards?
The three categories are:
Padma Vibhushan – Exceptional and distinguished service.
Padma Bhushan – Distinguished service of a high order.
Padma Shri – Distinguished service in any field.
Who received the Padma Vibhushan Award in 2025?
The Padma Vibhushan awardees for 2025 are:
Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) – Former Suzuki Motor Chief.
Lakshminarayana Subramaniam – Violin maestro.
D. Nageshwar Reddy – Gastroenterologist.
M.T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) – Malayalam author and director.
Were any sports personalities honoured with Padma Awards in 2025?
Yes, P.R. Sreejesh, India’s hockey legend, was awarded the Padma Bhushan for his remarkable contributions to Indian sports.
What is the significance of the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are India’s second-highest civilian honours after the Bharat Ratna, given to recognize excellence and distinguished service in various fields such as arts, literature, science, sports, public affairs, medicine, and social work.
Who was the oldest Padma awardee in 2025?
Libia Lobo Sardesai, a 100-year-old freedom fighter from Goa, was among the oldest awardees this year. She was honoured for her role in Goa’s freedom movement.
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