Padma Awards
| Award | Purpose | Instituted | Medal Description |
| Padma Vibhushan | Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service in any field, including service rendered by government servants. It is India’s second-highest civilian award. | 1954 | Circular bronze medal with a lotus flower on the obverse, “Padma” and “Vibhushan” in Devanagari, State Emblem and “Satyameva Jayate” on the reverse. |
| Padma Bhushan | Awarded for distinguished service of a high order in any field, including government service. It is India’s third-highest civilian award. | 1954 | Similar design to Padma Vibhushan with “Padma Bhushan” inscribed. Bronze medal with embossed lotus. |
| Padma Shri | Awarded for distinguished service in any field, including government service. It is India’s fourth-highest civilian award. | 1954 | Circular bronze medal with a lotus flower and “Padma Shri” inscribed in Devanagari; State Emblem on the reverse. |
Important Facts about Padma Awards
| Particular | Information |
| Announced On | Republic Day (26 January) |
| Conferred By | President of India |
| Recommendation | By the Padma Awards Committee constituted by the Government of India |
| Eligibility | Citizens and non-citizens; posthumous awards are permitted |
| Fields Covered | Art, Literature, Education, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Social Work, Public Affairs, Civil Service, Trade & Industry, Sports, Music, Cinema and other fields of human endeavour |
| First Instituted | 1954 |
| Administered By | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Presentation Ceremony | Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually during March–April |
Differences Among the Padma Awards
| Award | Level of Recognition |
| Padma Vibhushan | Exceptional and distinguished service |
| Padma Bhushan | Distinguished service of a high order |
| Padma Shri | Distinguished service |
Other National Awards
| Award | Field / Purpose | Instituted |
| Appan Menon Memorial Award | International Relations, Diplomacy and Journalism | 1996 |
| Aditya Vikram Birla Kalashikhar Puraskar | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Classical Music, Dance and Performing Arts | 1996 |
| Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize | Science & Technology | 1958 |
| Dhanwantari Award | Medical Science | 1971 |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Lifetime Contribution to Indian Cinema | 1969 |
| Jnanpith Award | Literature | 1961 |
| Saraswati Samman | Outstanding Literary Work in any Indian Language | 1991 |
| Vyas Samman | Hindi Literature | 1991 |
| Vachaspati Samman | Sanskrit Literature | 1992 |
| Kabir Puraskar | Promotion of Communal Harmony and National Integration | 1990 |
| Arjuna Award | Outstanding Sportsperson | 1961 |
| Dronacharya Award | Outstanding Sports Coach | 1985 |