New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu presided over the second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, where 68 distinguished individuals were conferred with Padma Awards for their outstanding contributions across various domains, including art, literature, science, public service, medicine, sports, and social work.
The ceremony was graced by top dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. It marked the second phase of the prestigious awards for the year, with the first held earlier in the year.
This year, a total of 139 Padma awards were announced on the eve of Republic Day. The honours are presented in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, which collectively represent some of the highest civilian recognitions in India.
Award Distribution in the Second Ceremony:
- 3 Padma Vibhushan
- 9 Padma Bhushan
- 56 Padma Shri
Among these, 13 awards were given posthumously, recognizing individuals whose legacies continue to inspire.
One of the most poignant moments was the posthumous Padma Vibhushan awarded to Dr. Sharda Sinha, the beloved Bhojpuri folk and devotional singer. Her son, Anshuman Sinha, accepted the honour on her behalf, with her contribution to Chhath songs and regional music being remembered fondly.
Other Padma Vibhushan awardees included former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar and renowned classical dancer Kumudini Lakhia (posthumous).
Padma Bhushan Recipients:
- Social activist Sadhvi Ritambhara
- Actor-politician Nandamuri Balakrishna
- Veteran journalist and author A. Surya Prakash
Posthumous awardees in this category included musical icon Pankaj Udhas, political leader Manohar Joshi, economist Bibek Debroy, literary giant M.T. Vasudevan Nair, and Japan’s Osamu Suzuki, whose legacy in strengthening Indo-Japanese industrial ties is well remembered.
Padma Shri Highlights:
The largest segment of the honours—56 Padma Shri awards—was presented to individuals with remarkable grassroots-level achievements. Standout names included:
- Playback singer Arijit Singh
- Cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin
- Odia author Pratibha Satpathy
- Former SBI Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya
- Violinist Tejendra Narayan Majumdar
This year’s awards also acknowledged 10 global contributors, including NRIs, PIOs, OCIs, and foreign nationals, reflecting India’s recognition of cross-border excellence.
A notable aspect of this phase was the celebration of 23 women awardees, highlighting increased visibility and appreciation for women’s contributions across sectors.
The ceremony reflected the evolving spirit of the Padma Awards—a recognition not just of fame, but of selfless service and impact. As the government continues its mission to democratise these honours, the Padma Awards have truly become “People’s Awards”, celebrating India’s rich cultural and intellectual fabric.
