President Droupadi Murmu on Friday conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2025 on 15 outstanding nursing professionals in a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The annual awards recognise the exceptional service and unwavering commitment of nurses from across India, who have played a pivotal role in strengthening the nation’s healthcare delivery system.
The awardees, drawn from diverse states and healthcare settings, were honoured for their dedication, compassion, and resilience — hallmarks of the nursing profession. This year’s recipients include Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Lady Health Visitors (LHVs), and Registered Nurses serving in both government and voluntary healthcare services.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, along with Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav and Anupriya Patel, attended the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda praised the awardees, saying, “This well-deserved recognition celebrates your dedication to serving humanity and will motivate you to keep making a positive impact. Our nurses are the pillars of India’s healthcare system, saving countless lives every single day.”
Instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Florence Nightingale Awards include a Certificate of Merit, a medal, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. The award is presented annually to honour nurses, midwives, and health workers for their distinguished service.
The Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has undertaken several initiatives to bolster the nursing and midwifery professions. The recent enactment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act is expected to modernize nursing education and improve regulatory oversight. Additionally, the establishment of 157 nursing colleges alongside medical colleges is aimed at creating a robust, skilled nursing workforce capable of meeting the evolving healthcare needs of the country.
