Co-op Sector must claim its due: Time to vie for Padma Awards

The cooperative sector has been a cornerstone of India’s economic growth, making significant contributions to milk production, fertilizers, rural credit, and food security. Despite its decisive impact, the sector has remained largely underrepresented in the prestigious Padma Awards.

It is a matter of concern that very few cooperative leaders have been recognized with these national honours, even though their work has transformed millions of lives across the country.

Now, with nominations open for the Padma Awards 2026, there is a golden opportunity for cooperative pioneers to receive their rightful recognition.

The Government of India has invited nominations, allowing individuals to put forth their own credentials or recommend someone whose contributions deserve acknowledgment. The process for nominations began on March 15, 2025, and will continue until July 31, 2025. Nominations and recommendations will be accepted only through the Rashtriya Puraskar Portal.

The Padma Awards—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri—are among the country’s highest civilian honours, recognizing distinguished and exceptional achievements across various fields, including agriculture, trade, industry, and social work.

Instituted in 1954, these awards celebrate individuals whose contributions have had a lasting impact on society. Unfortunately, the cooperative sector, despite playing a crucial role in India’s self-reliance and economic empowerment, has not received the recognition it deserves.

The cooperative movement has been instrumental in shaping India’s rural economy. Institutions like Amul, which spearheaded the White Revolution, and IFFCO, which has played a key role in fertilizer production, have revolutionized their respective fields. IFFCO’s Nano Fertilizer is proving to be a game changer not only in India but also in foreign countries.

Cooperative banks and credit societies have ensured financial inclusion for millions of farmers and small businesses. The contributions of these organizations and their leaders have been no less than extraordinary, yet their presence among Padma Award recipients has been minimal.

The government is committed to transforming the Padma Awards into “People’s Padma” and has urged citizens to identify and nominate deserving individuals, particularly from women, weaker sections, SCs, STs, and divyang persons.

This is a moment for the cooperative sector to step forward and ensure that its stalwarts receive the national recognition they have long been denied. Those who have dedicated their lives to the cooperative movement must now be celebrated at the highest level.