Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh): The Haryana government has officially invited nominations and recommendations for the prestigious Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—to be announced on the occasion of Republic Day, January 26, 2027. In a letter addressed to all administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners, and deputy commissioners, Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi directed that recommendations be submitted to the state government via email at political2.hry@gmail.com or hrathee.cso@hry.gov.in by June 10, 2026.
While the state-level deadline for internal review is in June, the Central Government’s National Awards Portal (https://awards.gov.in) began accepting online nominations on March 15, 2026, with a final closing date of July 31, 2026. Officials have been instructed to strictly adhere to this timeline, as any nominations received after the deadline will not be considered. The awards, instituted in 1954, aim to recognize “distinguished work” and extraordinary achievements across various fields, including art, literature, sports, medicine, social work, science, and public affairs.
The government has placed a special emphasis on identifying “unsung heroes”—talented individuals who have made exceptional contributions to society but remain in the background due to a lack of self-promotion. Administrative heads have been encouraged to form search committees to identify such excellence, particularly among women, weaker sections of society, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and persons with disabilities. The selection criteria emphasize “Excellence Plus,” focusing on individuals whose life’s work reflects a significant element of public service.
As per the guidelines, government employees and those working in Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) are not eligible for these awards, with the specific exception of doctors and scientists. While the awards are generally not conferred posthumously, highly deserving cases can be considered if the individual passed away within one year of the upcoming Republic Day. Furthermore, individuals who have previously received a Padma award can be considered for a higher category only after a gap of at least five years from their last honour.
