President Droupadi Murmu awarded the Padma Awards to 71 individuals during a Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan's Durbar Hall on Monday, April 28. The ceremony conferred four Padma Vibhushan, 10 Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awards, recognizing significant contributions across various sectors.

The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honours, celebrating excellence in fields such as arts, literature, sports, and social service. Some of the notable names who are conferred with this award include cricketer R Ashwin, hockey legend PR Sreejesh, singer Arijit Singh, and Telugu cinema icon Nandamuri Balakrishna

R Ashwin, Ajith Kumar, Ricky Kej And Other Who Received Padma Awards 2025

PR Sreejesh

PR Sreejesh, a legendary Indian hockey goalkeeper, earned the Padma Bhushan for his stellar 18-year career. With 336 international matches, he played a pivotal role in India’s bronze medal wins at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, ending a 41-year Olympic medal drought. Known for exceptional reflexes and leadership, Sreejesh is only the second hockey player after Major Dhyan Chand to receive this honour.

Arijit Singh

Arijit Singh is a renowned playback singer who does not need any introduction. Rising to fame with Tum Hi Ho from Aashiqui 2 (2013), his versatile voice has defined several Bollywood hits. His ability to connect with listeners through heartfelt renditions has made him a cultural icon, enriching India’s musical landscape.

R Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of India’s finest cricketers, was awarded the Padma Shri for his remarkable contributions to cricket. Retiring in December 2024 with 537 Test wickets, he is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Known for his intelligent spin bowling and versatility, Ashwin’s innovative strategies redefined spin bowling.

Nandamuri Balakrishna

Nandamuri Balakrishna is a veteran of Telugu cinema, who won Padma Bhushan for his decades-long contributions to Indian film. With a career spanning over 100 films, he is celebrated for versatile roles in movies like Simha and Legend. Beyond acting, Balakrishna’s philanthropy and leadership in the Telugu film industry have made him a cultural icon.

Shobhana Chandrakumar

Shobhana Chandrakuma received the Padma Bhushan for her contributions to Indian cinema and classical dance. Known for her expressive performances in films like Manichitrathazhu, she has won two National Film Awards. Her mastery of Bharatanatyam has enriched India’s cultural heritage.

Ricky Kej

Ricky Kej is a two-time Grammy-winning music composer, who was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to Indian and global music. Known for blending Indian classical elements with contemporary sounds, his albums like Winds of Samsara earned international acclaim. Kej’s work promotes environmental and cultural themes, resonating worldwide.

Pankaj Udhas

Pankaj Udhas, a legendary ghazal singer, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan. His emotive voice and mastery of ghazal elevated the genre’s popularity in India.

Shekhar Kapur

Shekhar Kapur, a visionary filmmaker, received the Padma Bhushan for his transformative contributions to cinema. Known for directing Bandit Queen (1994) and the Oscar-nominated Elizabeth (1998), Kapur’s storytelling blends raw realism with global appeal. His work, including Mr. India and Masoom, redefined Indian cinema.

Ajith Kumar

Ajith Kumar, a towering figure in Tamil cinema, was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his versatile contributions to Indian film. Known for films like Veeram and Vivegam, his intense performances and dedication have earned him a massive fanbase. Beyond acting, Ajith’s philanthropy and passion for car racing, with his ‘Ajith Kumar Racing’ team, showcase his multifaceted persona.

Shri Anant Nag

Anant Nag, a veteran actor and cultural icon, received the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema and theatre. With a career spanning over five decades, Nag’s roles in films like Ankur and Malgudi Days showcase his versatility. His work in Kannada and Hindi cinema, blending artistic depth with mainstream appeal, has left a lasting impact.

Harvinder Singh

Harvinder Singh, India’s first Paralympic archery gold medalist, was awarded the Padma Shri for his extraordinary contributions to sports. Winning gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics and bronze at Tokyo 2020, Singh’s precision and resilience redefined Indian para-archery. As the world’s top-ranked archer in the Recurve Men Open (2024), his achievements have inspired countless athletes.