India Announces Padma Awards 2025: Nandamuri Balakrishna honored with Padma Bhushan

In a tribute to exceptional achievement and dedicated service, the Government of India unveiled the recipients of the Padma Awards for 2025. These prestigious civilian honors acknowledge individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation across a multitude of disciplines.

This year, 139 individuals have been recognized, with 7 receiving the Padma Vibhushan, 19 the Padma Bhushan, and 113 the Padma Shri. The awardees represent a diverse spectrum of talent, spanning art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature, education, sports, and civil service.¹

Padma Vibhushan:

This highest honor is reserved for exceptional and distinguished service. The 2025 recipients include:

• Shri Duvvur Nageshwar Reddy (Medicine): A pioneer in gastroenterology, recognized for his contributions to affordable healthcare.
• Justice (Retd.) Shri Jagdish Singh Khehar (Public Affairs): Former Chief Justice of India, honored for his service to the Indian judiciary.
• Smt. Kumudini Rajnikant Lakhia (Art): A celebrated Kathak dancer and choreographer, preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage.
• Shri Lakshminarayana Subramaniam (Art): A world-renowned violinist and composer, lauded for his contribution to Indian classical music.
• Shri M. T. Vasudevan Nair (Posthumous) (Literature & Education): A literary giant, celebrated for his impactful Malayalam writing.
• Shri Osamu Suzuki (Posthumous) (Trade and Industry): Acknowledged for his significant role in the growth of the Indian automobile industry.
• Smt. Sharda Sinha (Posthumous) (Art): A legendary folk singer, leaving behind a rich musical legacy.

Padma Bhushan:

This award honors distinguished service of a high order. Notable recipients include:

• Shri A. Surya Prakash (Literature & Education – Journalism): A veteran journalist and former chairman of Prasar Bharati, recognized for his contributions to Indian media.
• Shri Anant Nag (Art): A celebrated actor with a remarkable career spanning Kannada and Hindi cinema.
• Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna (Art): A prominent figure in Telugu cinema and politics.
• Shri P R Sreejesh (Sports): Former captain of the Indian national hockey team, celebrated for his sporting achievements.
• Shri Shekhar Kapur (Art): A critically acclaimed filmmaker, known for his powerful and impactful cinema.
• Ms. Shobana Chandrakumar (Art): A renowned Bharatanatyam dancer and actress, celebrated for her artistic contributions.

Padma Shri:

This award acknowledges distinguished service in any field. The diverse list of recipients includes:

• Shri Arijit Singh (Art): One of India’s most beloved playback singers, captivating millions with his voice.
• Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya (Trade and Industry): A trailblazer in the banking sector, recognized for her leadership as former Chairperson of the State Bank of India.
• Shri Ashok Laxman Saraf (Art): A veteran Marathi actor, bringing laughter and joy to audiences with his comedic performances.
• Shri R Ashwin (Sports): A leading cricketer, honored for his exceptional spin bowling and contributions to Indian cricket.
• Smt. Neerja Bhatla (Medicine): A dedicated gynecologist, recognized for her work in cervical cancer detection and prevention.
• Shri Hugh and Colleen Gantzer (Posthumous) (Duo) (Literature & Education – Journalism): Celebrated travel writers, who explored and documented India’s diverse landscapes and cultures.
• Smt. Jaspinder Narula (Art): A renowned Punjabi folk and Sufi singer, captivating audiences with her soulful voice.
• Shri K. Damodaran (Others – Culinary): A culinary expert and chef, promoting and preserving traditional Tamil cuisine.

The Padma Awards serve as a testament to the spirit of excellence and selfless service that defines India. The awardees will be formally honored at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in the coming months.