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President Droupadi Murmu presents Padma Bhushan in the field of Art to S. Ajith Kumar. (X/@rashtrapatibhvn)
The Padma Awards 2025 were conferred at a grand ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, with President Droupadi Murmu presenting the honours to a distinguished array of recipients.
Among those recognised were film personalities Ajith Kumar, Shekhar Kapur, and Nandamuri Balakrishna, along with celebrated sportspersons Ravichandran Ashwin and P.R. Sreejesh. Renowned ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas was honoured posthumously for his contribution to Indian music.
The ceremony celebrated excellence across diverse fields, underscoring the spirit of national pride and achievement.
Ajith Kumar stands as a towering figure in Indian cinema, particularly within the Tamil film industry. Renowned for his remarkable versatility, he has brought to life a wide spectrum of characters with effortless ease, earning him a place among the finest actors of his generation. His influence, however, extends well beyond the silver screen, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture and society at large.
Ravichandran Ashwin, widely regarded as one of India's finest spinners, bid farewell to international cricket last year following India's Boxing Day Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The seasoned off-spinner is currently representing Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
P.R. Sreejesh, one of the most celebrated figures in Indian hockey, has been awarded the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honour. The goalkeeper, who announced his retirement last year, was instrumental in India's resurgence on the global stage, playing a defining role in securing consecutive Olympic medals.
At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Sreejesh’s heroics between the posts were central to India’s historic bronze-medal finish. He signed off in style at the Paris Olympics last year, delivering another commanding performance that underlined his reputation as one of the finest goalkeepers in the sport’s history.
Osamu Suzuki, the long-serving chairman and patriarch of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has been posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
Suzuki, who led the company for over four decades, played a transformative role in India's automotive landscape, through the launch of the iconic Maruti 800, which made car ownership accessible to millions.
Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur had posted on X, “What an honour! Am humbled that the Government of India has considered me to be deserving of a #Padmanbhushan. Hopefully this award will make me strive harder to serve the Industry that I am part of, and the beautiful Nation that I am so fortunate to belong to. Thank you also to our film audiences of India, for I am because you are.”
Lakshmipathy Ramasubbaiyer, the publisher of leading Tamil daily Dinamalar, has been honoured with the Padma Shri for rendering illustrious services in the fields of literature, education and journalism.
The Telugu actor has been honoured with one of India's top civilian awards - Padhma Bhushan -for his exceptional work in the industry.
Dr. Satyapal Singh has been a driving force behind the rise of para-athletics in India, coaching and mentoring a generation of athletes who have brought glory to the nation. His unwavering commitment to training differently-abled sportspersons has paved the way for numerous international triumphs, establishing India as a formidable presence on the global para-sports stage.
Goan freedom fighter Libia Lobo Sardesai, 100, was honoured with the Padma Shri on Sunday for her pivotal role in the state’s liberation struggle.
Bhimavva Shillekyathara, a 96-year-old puppeteer was honoured for the Padma Shri for her dedication to Togalu Gombeyaata, a traditional shadow puppetry art.
Suresh Harilal Soni is a social worker who works for welfare and rehabilitation of leprosy patients. The Government of India honoured Padma Shri award to Soni in recognitions of his social works.
Stephen Knapp, widely known by his spiritual name Sri Nandanandana Das, has been honoured with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award. An accomplished author, researcher, and speaker, Knapp is also the founder of the Vedic Friends Association (VFA), dedicated to promoting Vedic culture and philosophy worldwide.
Vijayalakshmi Deshamane is an Indian oncologist surgeon from Kalaburagi, she has been honoured with the Padma Shri Award.
Singer Jaspinder Narula is honoured with the Padma Shri in recognition of her contributions to music, particularly playback singing in Hindi and Punjabi cinema, and her work in classical and Sufi music.
Singer Pankaj Udhas (posthumous) has been conferred with Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the field of Art. His wife Farida Pankaj Udhas receives the award from President Droupadi Murmu.
The Padma awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day and are presented across various disciplines, including public affairs, science and engineering, social work, medicine, literature, sports, and civil services.
