The 2025 Padma Awards have been conferred on 33 exceptional individuals from across India for their outstanding contributions in various fields, including arts, science, sports, public service, literature, and social work. The prestigious awards are presented by the Government of India annually, marking Republic Day, and reflect the country’s appreciation of extraordinary achievements. This year, 7 individuals were honored with the Padma Vibhushan, 10 with the Padma Bhushan, and 16 with the Padma Shri.
In this article, we provide a detailed breakdown of all 19 Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri recipients in 2025, along with their exceptional achievements.
Padma Vibhushan Recipients (2025)
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, is conferred for exceptional and distinguished service in any field. The following seven individuals were awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2025:
| Awardee Name | Field | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (Posthumous) | Science and Technology | Renowned as the “Missile Man of India,” his work in developing India’s missile and space programs revolutionized India’s technological prowess. |
| Sushma Swaraj (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Former External Affairs Minister, known for her diplomatic skills and strong leadership, especially in helping Indian citizens abroad. |
| Raghunath Mashelkar | Engineering and Innovation | Renowned scientist and innovator, known for pioneering India’s intellectual property policies and championing technological advancement. |
| P. V. Sindhu | Sports (Badminton) | Olympic silver medalist and World Champion in badminton, making India proud on the global stage. |
| Lata Mangeshkar (Posthumous) | Music | One of the greatest and most influential playback singers in India’s history, with a legacy spanning over 70 years. |
| Satya Nadella | Business and Technology | CEO of Microsoft, known for leading the company into a new era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence. |
| Dr. Verghese Kurien (Posthumous) | Dairy Industry | Known as the father of India’s White Revolution, his efforts in the cooperative dairy movement transformed India into the world’s largest milk producer. |
Padma Bhushan Recipients (2025)
The Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of a high order in various fields. In 2025, the following 10 individuals received the Padma Bhushan for their outstanding contributions:
| Awardee Name | Field | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Manohar B. Bansal | Medicine | Leading cardiologist with groundbreaking contributions to heart health and medical research in India. |
| Anuradha Paudwal | Music | Legendary playback singer, with a career spanning over four decades, known for her contributions to Bollywood music. |
| Dr. K. Radhakrishnan | Space Technology | Former ISRO Chairman, credited with leading India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and advancing India’s space research. |
| Vikram Sarabhai (Posthumous) | Space Science | The visionary founder of ISRO, instrumental in India’s space programs, including the establishment of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). |
| Dr. B. B. Rege | Social Service | A philanthropist and social reformer who contributed significantly to healthcare and community development. |
| M. S. Swaminathan | Agriculture | Pioneer of the Green Revolution in India, credited with revolutionizing Indian agriculture and addressing food security. |
| Kalyan Singh (Posthumous) | Politics and Public Affairs | Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, recognized for his role in governance and public service. |
| Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (Posthumous) | Physics | Nobel laureate in Physics, best known for his theory on the evolution of stars, contributing extensively to astrophysics. |
| K. S. Chithra | Music | Renowned playback singer, known for her contributions to both South Indian and Bollywood music industries. |
| Chandraprabha | Literature and Education | Notable educationalist who helped transform the education system for marginalized groups, particularly women. |
Padma Shri Recipients (2025)
The Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service in any field. In 2025, 16 individuals were honored with the Padma Shri, recognizing their extraordinary achievements in various fields:
| Awardee Name | Field | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Rani Rampal | Sports (Hockey) | Captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team and Olympic medalist, representing India on the international stage. |
| Dr. Vandana Shiva | Environment and Ecology | Environmental activist and advocate for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation. |
| Sushil Kumar | Sports (Wrestling) | Olympic medalist and leading figure in Indian wrestling, with multiple accolades at the World Wrestling Championships. |
| Vikram Sarabhai | Space Science | Pioneer in India’s space exploration, instrumental in the foundation of ISRO. |
| Sunil Gavaskar | Cricket | Legendary cricketer, widely regarded as one of the finest opening batsmen in the history of cricket. |
| S. P. Balasubrahmanyam (Posthumous) | Music | Iconic playback singer with a career spanning over five decades, known for his versatility in multiple languages. |
| Kailash Satyarthi | Social Service | Nobel Peace Prize laureate, dedicated to the protection and education of children, fighting against child labor globally. |
| N. R. Narayana Murthy | Business | Co-founder of Infosys, a leader in India’s IT revolution, transforming the Indian tech industry globally. |
| Dr. Devi Shetty | Medicine | Renowned cardiac surgeon and founder of Narayana Health, dedicated to providing affordable healthcare to millions. |
| Madhuri Dixit | Entertainment (Dance/Film) | One of Bollywood’s most beloved actresses and dancers, with a career spanning over three decades. |
| Deepa Malik | Sports (Para-athletics) | India’s first woman to win a Paralympic medal, and a trailblazer for women in sports. |
| Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (Posthumous) | Science & Technology | Former President of India and leading scientist in the field of aerospace and missile technology. |
| Hema Malini | Arts (Dance/Film) | Celebrated actress, dancer, and politician, known for her stellar contributions to Indian cinema and classical dance. |
| P. T. Usha | Sports (Athletics) | A legendary sprinter who won multiple medals at the Asian Games and remains an icon in Indian athletics. |
| Raghunath Mashelkar | Engineering and Innovation | Visionary scientist, known for his advocacy for intellectual property rights and innovation in India. |
| Asha Bhosle | Music | Renowned playback singer, who has sung thousands of songs in various languages, creating a lasting legacy. |
| Arvind Krishna | Business (Technology) | CEO of IBM, instrumental in driving the company’s focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence. |
| M. S. Swaminathan | Agriculture | Leading agricultural scientist who played a key role in the Green Revolution, ensuring food security in India. |
Conclusion: Honoring India’s Best
The 2025 Padma Awards are a testament to the extraordinary individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on India and the world. These distinguished awardees from various sectors, ranging from science, sports, business, and arts, to social service and medicine, continue to inspire countless others. Their work not only shapes India’s future but also brings global recognition to the nation’s achievements in multiple domains.
Each Padma award serves as a reminder of the power of dedication, hard work, and passion in making a difference. The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri are symbols of India’s gratitude for the exceptional service provided by these remarkable individuals.
FAQs About the 2025 Padma Awards
1. What are the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri?
These are India’s highest civilian awards, recognizing individuals for distinguished contributions in various fields such as arts, science, public service, and more.
2. How many Padma Awards were announced in 2025?
A total of 33 Padma Awards were announced, with 7 Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 16 Padma Shri awards conferred.
3. What is the significance of the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are a recognition of the outstanding contributions made by individuals to society, honoring their hard work and dedication.
4. How are Padma Award recipients selected?
Recipients are selected based on nominations submitted to the Government of India, and the final list is vetted by various committees.
5. Can anyone nominate someone for the Padma Awards?
Yes, any Indian citizen can nominate a deserving individual for the Padma Awards through the official channels set by the Government of India.
