Padma Awards 2020

Current context: The Government of India had announced the Padma Awards 2020 to various eminent personalities.

• Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, are one of the highest civilian honours of India.
• The Awards are given in three categories:

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

• The award seeks to recognize achievements in all fields of activities or disciplines viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc., where an element of public service is involved.
• This year, the President of India has approved 141 Padma Awards that includes: 7 Padma Vibhushan, 16 Padma Bhushan and 118 Padma Shri Awards.
• The Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year gives a recommendation for the award.
• 33 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 18 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI and 12 posthumous awardees.
• The Padma Awards were instituted in the year 1954.

Question: 

Q.1 The Padma Awards Committee, which gives a recommendation for the Padma award is constituted by the ___________ every year?
a. President of India
b. Prime Minister of India
c. Vice President of India
d. Lok Sabha Speaker