The Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri—are among India’s highest civilian honours, announced every year on the eve of Republic Day (26 January).

📌 Recently Important Padma Awardees from Himachal Pradesh

1️⃣ Prem Lal Gautam (2026)

• Field: Science & Engineering / Agriculture
• Contribution to agricultural innovation and scientific research.
• Important for current affairs + HP GK.

2️⃣ Hariman Sharma (2025)

• Field: Agriculture
• Known as “Apple Man of India.”
• Developed HRMN-99, a low-chilling apple variety suitable for lower altitudes.
• Very important for agriculture & rural development questions.

3️⃣ Som Datt Battu (2024)

• Field: Art (Music)
• Renowned classical vocalist from Shimla.
• Asked in culture-related MCQs.

4️⃣ Vidyanand Sarek (2022)

• Field: Art
• Contribution to traditional arts of Himachal.

5️⃣ Lalita Vakil (2022)

• Field: Art (Embroidery)
• Promoted Chamba Rumal (GI-tagged craft of HP).

6️⃣ Kartar Singh Sonkhle (2021)

• Field: Art
• Preserved Himachali folk culture.

7️⃣ Omesh Kumar Bharti (2019)

• Field: Medicine
• Developed cost-effective anti-rabies treatment protocol.
• Frequently asked in HPAS exams.

🌟 Other Notable Padma Awardees Linked to Himachal

• Yeshi Dhonden – Medicine (Personal physician to Dalai Lama)
• Sobha Singh – Art (Famous painter of Andretta, Kangra)
• Kapil Mohan – Trade & Industry
• Kshama Metre – Social Work

🎯 Exam-Oriented Important Points

✅ Himachal has received maximum recent Padma Awards in Art & Culture sector.

✅ Agriculture innovation (HRMN-99 apple variety) is highly important for HP GK & Economy section.

✅ Chamba Rumal is a GI-tagged traditional embroidery.

✅ Anti-rabies protocol by Dr. Omesh Bharti is a key public health achievement.

✅ Padma Awards are not titles (as per Article 18 of Indian Constitution).