The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honors, continue to recognize outstanding individuals whose contributions span various fields, including art, literature, science, public service, and social work. As the nation celebrates its rich diversity and remarkable talent, the Padma Awards for the year 2024 once again shine a spotlight on those who have excelled in their respective domains, inspiring generations and leaving an indelible mark on society. These prestigious accolades not only acknowledge individual achievements but also serve as a testament to India’s enduring commitment to honoring excellence and fostering progress across all spheres of human endeavor.
Tags: GS Paper – 1 History- Important Personalities
Context:
- Recently, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the esteemed Padma Awards of 2024 upon a select group of individuals.
The Recipients of the Padma Awards in 2024:
- The recipients of the Padma Awards in 2024 included former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, actor and politician Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, and tennis player Rohan Bopanna, among others.
- Notable personalities such as the founder of Sulabh International Bindeshwar Pathak and Bharatanatyam dancer Padma Subrahmanyam were conferred with Padma Vibhushan.
- In total, 132 Padma awards were approved for 2024, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards.
- Among the awardees, 30 were women, 8 were from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, and 9 were honoured posthumously.
The Key Points About the Padma Awards:
Background:
- The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day, which falls on the 26th of January. Instituted in 1954, they stand as one of India’s highest civilian honours.
Objective:
- The primary objective of the Padma Awards is to recognize outstanding achievements in various fields of activity, particularly those involving public service.
Categories:
- The awards are categorised into three tiers:
- Padma Vibhushan, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan, conferred for distinguished service of a higher order.
- Padma Shri, given for distinguished service.
Hierarchy:
- Padma Vibhushan holds the highest rank among the Padma Awards, followed by Padma Bhushan and then Padma Shri.
Disciplines:
- The awards encompass a broad spectrum of disciplines and fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, and more.
Eligibility:
- All individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender, are eligible for consideration for the Padma Awards.
Selection Process:
- Padma Awards Committee: Recommendations for the awards are made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is formed annually by the Prime Minister.
- Awarded by the President: The President of India presents the awards, typically in March or April each year.
Bharat Ratna:
- Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India, bestowed in recognition of exceptional service or performance of the highest order in any field.
- It holds a distinct status from the Padma Awards. Recommendations for Bharat Ratna are made by the Prime Minister to the President of India.
- While typically three Bharat Ratna awards are conferred each year, in 2024, the government has chosen five recipients for this honour.
Abolition of Titles Under Article 18:
- Article 18(1) of the Indian Constitution abolishes all titles and prohibits the state from conferring titles on individuals, citizens or non-citizens.
- Exceptions are made for military and academic distinctions.
- This prohibition extends to titles attached to one’s name, such as prefixes or suffixes like “Sir” or “Maharaja.”
- In a democracy, creating titles is discouraged as it contradicts principles of social equality.
- Awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Shri are not prohibited under Article 18 as they signify state recognition of exceptional work by citizens.
- In the landmark case Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996), the court ruled that national awards do not constitute titles under Article 18.
- In the case of Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017), the Supreme Court clarified that terms like “senior advocate” are designations rather than titles and do not violate Article 18
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims:
Q:1 Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: (2021)
- Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
- Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
- The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.
Which of the above statements are not correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
FAQs
Q: Who received the Padma Vibhushan in 2024?
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, was conferred upon notable individuals such as Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty (Medicine), M. S. Swaminathan (Science & Engineering), and Shri Narayan Murthy (Trade & Industry), among others.
Q: Which personalities were honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2024?
Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in 2024 included eminent figures like Dr. K. Radhakrishnan (Science & Engineering), Shri Anil Agarwal (Trade & Industry), and Dr. Manjul Bhargava (Science & Engineering), recognizing their exceptional contributions to their respective fields.
Q: Who were the notable recipients of the Padma Shri in 2024?
The Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, was awarded to distinguished individuals such as Ms. Saina Nehwal (Sports), Shri Adil Hussain (Art), and Shri Sanjeev Kapoor (Culinary), acknowledging their significant achievements and contributions.
Q: How many Padma Awards were conferred in 2024?
In 2024, a total of 124 Padma Awards were conferred by the Government of India, recognizing individuals from various walks of life for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the nation.
Q: What were some of the notable fields represented in the Padma Awards 2024?
The Padma Awards 2024 honored individuals from diverse fields including art, science, sports, medicine, literature, and social work, showcasing the breadth of talent and excellence present across different sectors in India.
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