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Context:

• Recently, the President approved the conferment of 128 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the award is counted as one).
• The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri Awards. 
• 34 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 10 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 13 Posthumous awardees.

About the Awards:

• They are one of India's highest civilian honours, bestowed each year on the eve of Republic Day.
• The award's goal is to reward accomplishments in all industries or disciplines where there is a component of public service.
• In 1954, the Indian government established two civilian honours, the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan.
• Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg, and Tisra Varg were the three classes in the latter.
• By Presidential Notification dated January 8, 1955, these were renamed Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

Categories:

• Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service)
• Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher-order) 
• Padma Shri (distinguished service). 

Procedures:

• All Padma Award nominations are presented to the Padma Awards Committee, which is appointed by the Prime Minister each year. The public is invited to participate in the nomination process. It is even possible to nominate oneself.
• The Cabinet Secretary chairs the Padma Awards Committee, which also comprises the Home Secretary, the Secretary to the President, and four to six renowned individuals.
• The committee's recommendations are forwarded to India's Prime Minister and President for approval.

Eligibility

• These prizes are open to everyone, regardless of ethnicity, occupation, position, or gender.
• Non eligibility: Government employees, including those who work for PSUs, are not eligible for these rewards, with the exception of doctors and scientists.
• In most cases, the prize is not given posthumously. However, under exceptional circumstances, the government may consider making a posthumous award.
• A total of 120 awards should be given out each year (excluding posthumous awards and prizes to NRI/foreigners/OCIs).

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