Meet 30 Women Rewriting History With Padma Awards 2024

President Droupadi Murmu handed out the prestigious Padma Awards 2024, India's second-highest civilian honours, at New Delhi's Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 9. These accolades, bestowed by the Government of India, serve as a resounding acknowledgement of the exceptional contributions made by women across diverse fields, and their stories serve as an inspiration for generations to come. The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honours in India, are divided into three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, each recognizing outstanding service in various domains such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, and more.

From India's first female Supreme Court judge to the women striving to preserve handlooms and arts, here are the 30 women bestowed with the coveted Padma Awards in 2024. 

Padma Vibhushan Winners

This year, the government has chosen to honour 132 individuals, including five Padma Vibhushan awardees, 17 Padma Bhushan recipients, and an impressive 110 Padma Shri awardees. In total, 30 women have been honoured with Padma Awards in 2024, spanning the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories. Each of these recipients stands as a testament to the prowess and influence that women bring to diverse spheres of our society.