Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on citizens to nominate remarkable individuals for the prestigious Padma Awards, as the deadline for nominations approaches on September 15, 2024.

In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said, “Over the last decade, we have honoured countless grassroots-level heroes with the #PeoplesPadma. Their life journeys have inspired many, with their resilience and commitment visible in their outstanding contributions.”

The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative of public nominations, introduced by the central government, aims to foster greater transparency and inclusivity in the selection process. He expressed satisfaction with the number of nominations received so far, while encouraging more submissions before the September 15 deadline.

“I urge more people to nominate inspiring personalities for the Padma Awards,” PM Modi said.

According to a release from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), online nominations for the Padma Awards 2025, which will be announced on Republic Day, began on May 1, 2024. Nominations are being accepted through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

The Padma Awards—comprising the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—are among India’s highest civilian honors, instituted in 1954. The awards acknowledge exceptional achievements across various fields, including art, literature, education, sports, medicine, social work, science, engineering, public affairs, and trade and industry.

The nomination process is open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, or gender. However, government servants, except for doctors and scientists, are not eligible.

The MHA release reiterated the government’s commitment to making the awards more participatory, encouraging citizens to nominate deserving individuals, including self-nominations, as part of the ongoing “People’s Padma” initiative.

(ANI)