Dhirubhai Ambani, Rajinikanth get Padma Vibhushan

Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award of India.

Southern superstar Rajinikanth will also receive the award.

Actor Anupam Kher, sports icons Sania Mirza and Saina Nehwal were selected for the Padma Bhushan award while actress Priyanka Chopra will be getting the Padma Shri award.

Actor Ajay Devgn and archer Deepika Kumari will receive Padma Shri.

Padma Awards - one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

The Awards are given in various disciplines or  fields of activities like art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, among others.

‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.

These awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/ April every year.

This year the President of India has approved conferment of Padma Awards to 112 persons as per the list below. The list comprises of 10 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan and 83 Padma Shri Awardees. 

19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of foreigners, NRIs, PIOs (include one posthumous) and 4 Posthumous awardees.