TL;DR Since their inception in 1954, India’s Civilian Awards have evolved from recognising bureaucratic and political figures to celebrating achievers across arts, science, and social work. The data shows increasing inclusivity in fields and individuals honoured, even as awards remain concentrated in a few major states.

Context:

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, recognise individuals for their contributions in various fields such as arts, literature, science, public affairs, and sports. Established in 1954, the awards, viz Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, have been conferred annually to acknowledge service of a distinguished nature. Examining the awards since their inception provides insights into changing patterns of recognition, including shifts across sectors and regional balance. This story uses available data to trace how the profile of recipients and areas of achievement have evolved.

Who publishes this data?

The Padma Awards data is published by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Each year, the MHA releases the official list of awardees on the eve of Republic Day, along with citations detailing their contributions. As per the official guidelines, the total number of Padma Awards granted in a year should not exceed 120, excluding posthumous awards and those given to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), foreigners, or Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs). 

Where can I download clean & structured data related to Padma Awards?

Cleaned, structured, and ready-to-use datasets related to Republic Day Events and Awards from Dataful. The collection has comprehensive datasets on Padma Awards, Republic Day Guests, and Tableaux Themes.

Key Insights

• A total of 5514 Civilian awards have been conferred since its inception in 1954. This includes 3,759 Padma Shri, 1354 Padma Bhushan, 348 Padma Vibhushan, and 53 Bharat Ratna awards.

• In the initial years, Civilian Awards were dominated by the Civil Service and Public Affairs categories. In 1954, half the awards conferred were for these categories. Gradually, its share dropped – to ~22% in 1960s, 19% in 1980s, 8% in early 2000s, and 6% in 2020s. However, over time, this focus has shifted toward fields like Arts and Literature & Education. The share of awards conferred to these two categories went up from 1/3rds to around 50% between the 1960s and the 2020s.

• Introduced in the late 1980s, the “Others” category in the Padma Awards originally covered a wide range of fields. Over time, the category has become more structured, with the Ministry of Home Affairs formally recognising new subcategories like Spiritualism, Agriculture, Archaeology, and Yoga. In 2026, an award for ‘Others – Radio Broadcasting’ was conferred.

• Just two states, Maharashtra (868) and Delhi (844), account for one-third of all awards given. Their numbers are nearly twice that of the next highest state.

• The top five states – Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal – together account for over 56% of the total awards conferred, showing a heavy concentration in metropolitan and politically significant regions. The highest honour is also concentrated. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra lead with 9 Bharat Ratna awards each, followed closely by Tamil Nadu (8). These 3 states account for 50% of the Bharat Ratna winners.

• The eight North-Eastern states combined have received about 5.4% of the total awards (280 awards), which is less than what West Bengal alone has received (327).

Why Does It Matter?

The evolution of the Padma Awards reflects how India’s understanding of excellence has broadened over time. What began as recognition largely reserved for administrators and public figures now includes artists, scientists, educators, social workers, and grassroots achievers. This shift shows a more inclusive approach to national recognition, where contributions from diverse fields and regions are valued. However, the continued concentration of awards in a few states points to uneven visibility across the country. Analysing these patterns helps understand how India’s civilian honours mirror changing social priorities and regional representation.

Key numbers

• 5,514 total awards (1954–2026)
  3,759 Padma Shri | 1,354 Padma Bhushan | 348 Padma Vibhushan | 53 Bharat Ratna

• Civil Service & Public Affairs: ↓ from 50% (1954) → 6% (2020s)

• Arts + Literature & Education: ↑ from ⅓ → ½ of total awards

• Maharashtra (868) + Delhi (844) = ⅓ of all awards

• Top 5 states: 56%|Northeast: 5.4%