Last Updated: 15 July 2026
The University Grants Commission (UGC), acting on a communication from the Ministry of Education, has invited universities and recognised Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to recommend eminent educationists for the Padma Awards 2027. The exercise forms part of the annual nomination process for India’s civilian honours and focuses on recognising distinguished contributions to higher education, research, innovation and academic excellence.
The institutional nomination process complements the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) public nomination mechanism under the People’s Padma initiative. While universities may submit recommendations through the UGC, eligible individuals and members of the public may also submit nominations through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal within the notified timeline.
Verification Note: This article is based on the UGC public notice issued on 14 July 2026 following a communication from the Ministry of Education, along with the current Padma Awards nomination guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. If available, the official UGC notification or circular reference number should be cited in the published version. Any subsequent notification issued by the concerned authorities will supersede the information provided here.
UGC Nomination Process
The UGC has requested universities and recognised HEIs to identify individuals whose work has made a significant contribution to India’s higher education system. Recommendations may cover achievements in teaching, research, innovation, academic leadership or other recognised areas of scholarly excellence.
After receiving nominations from institutions, the UGC will compile eligible recommendations and forward them to the Ministry of Education for further consideration under the Padma Awards nomination process.
Areas for Recommendation
|
Area |
Illustrative Contributions |
|
Higher Education |
Teaching, academic leadership and institutional development |
|
Research |
Significant scholarly or scientific work |
|
Innovation |
Contributions benefiting education or society |
|
Academic Excellence |
Outstanding achievements in recognised academic disciplines |
The emphasis is on exceptional contributions that demonstrate wider public value rather than routine professional service.
Important Dates
|
Event |
Date |
Status |
|
UGC public notice issued |
14 July 2026 |
Confirmed |
|
Last date for universities to submit recommendations to UGC |
22 July 2026 |
Confirmed |
|
Last date for public nominations through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal |
31 July 2026 |
Confirmed |
|
Announcement of Padma Awards 2027 |
26 January 2027 |
Expected, based on the Government of India’s annual practice |
Documents Required
Universities have been advised to ensure that every recommendation is complete before submission.
|
Document |
Purpose |
|
Nomination details |
Identification of the nominee |
|
Supporting documents |
Evidence of achievements and contributions |
|
Citation (maximum 800 words) |
Narrative describing distinguished and exceptional service |
|
Additional institutional records, where applicable |
Supporting verification of accomplishments |
The citation should present the nominee’s achievements, their contribution to education or society, and the basis for the recommendation in a clear and evidence-based manner.
Padma Awards Categories
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and recognise distinguished service across a range of fields, including education, science, literature, medicine, arts, public affairs and social work.
|
Award |
Recognition |
|
Padma Vibhushan |
Exceptional and distinguished service |
|
Padma Bhushan |
Distinguished service of a high order |
|
Padma Shri |
Distinguished service |
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines, the selection process considers both professional excellence and the broader public impact of an individual’s contributions.
General Eligibility
The published guidelines indicate that nominations are assessed primarily on merit and impact. Broadly:
- Nominees should have made distinguished and exceptional contributions in their field.
- Public service and societal impact are important elements of evaluation.
- Government servants and employees of Public Sector Undertakings are generally not eligible, except for doctors and scientists covered under the applicable guidelines.
- Self-nominations are permitted through the People’s Padma initiative.
Institutions should verify the latest eligibility conditions before forwarding nominations.
Significance of the Initiative
Institutional nominations enable universities to recognise educators, researchers and academic leaders whose work has strengthened India’s higher education landscape. The process also supports wider national efforts to acknowledge excellence in knowledge creation, innovation and public service across different disciplines and regions. By encouraging institutions to identify deserving candidates, the initiative helps broaden recognition of contributions that have had a meaningful academic and societal impact.
Fraud and Safety Advisory
- Use only official government portals and notifications for nomination-related information.
- Do not share OTPs, passwords or login credentials with anyone claiming to assist with nominations.
- Government authorities do not request payment for nomination approval or consideration.
- Be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails or messages seeking documents, fees or personal information.
- Verify every communication through the official UGC, Ministry of Education or Ministry of Home Affairs platforms before taking action.
Official Sources
Readers and institutions should verify updates through the following official sources:
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
- Ministry of Education
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Rashtriya Puraskar Portal
Disclaimer
This article is intended solely for informational purposes. Nomination procedures, eligibility conditions and submission timelines may change through official notifications. The latest circulars, notifications and portal updates issued by the University Grants Commission, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs shall prevail in the event of any revision. Readers are advised to verify the latest official instructions before submitting nominations.