The Padma Awards, established in 1954, were intended to honor exceptional contributions in various fields such as arts, science, education, and public service. However, the awards were historically dominated by rich, famous, and politically connected individuals, raising concerns about favoritism and exclusion of grassroots workers. Under the Modi government, the nomination process was democratized, making it more inclusive and transparent, ensuring recognition for marginalized communities and unsung heroes.

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• The Padma Awards were introduced in 1954 to honor contributions in fields like arts, education, science, and social work.
• Historically, they were dominated by celebrities, politicians, and wealthy professionals, raising concerns about favoritism.
• In 2016, the nomination process was opened to the public, allowing anyone to nominate individuals.
• Since 2014, the government emphasized recognizing grassroots changemakers and unsung heroes, particularly from marginalized communities.
• In 2025, over 50,000 nominations were received, a significant increase from 2,200 in 2014.
• The new process sought to eliminate cronyism and lobbying, ensuring greater diversity in the recipients.
• The awards now reflect contributions from rural areas, environmental conservation, and restoration of indigenous arts.
• Padma awards in 2019 highlighted contributions from farmers, doctors, and social workers, including environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka.
• The 2025 list included grassroots changemakers like L. Hangthing, known as the “Fruit Man,” and Bhim Singh Bhavesh, the guardian of the Musahar community.
• The democratization of Padma Awards has helped reduce caste-based discrimination and given recognition to many who were previously overlooked.