President Honours Brave Citizens with Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards 2025

Why in News ?

The President of India has conferred the Jeevan Raksha Padak Series of Awards–2025 on 30 individuals for their exceptional acts of bravery in saving human lives, often at great personal risk.

About the Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards

The Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards are among India’s highest civilian recognitions for life-saving acts. They honour individuals who display exceptional courage, presence of mind, and humanitarian spirit in rescuing others from life-threatening situations.

These awards celebrate not only bravery but also the ethical values of selflessness, duty, and compassion, reinforcing social responsibility and moral courage.

Categories of Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards

The awards are conferred in three categories, based on the degree of risk faced and the courage displayed:

1. Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

• Awarded for conspicuous courage in saving life under circumstances of very great danger to the rescuer’s own life.
• Represents the highest level of civilian bravery in life-saving situations.

2. Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak

• Awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of great danger to the rescuer.

3. Jeevan Raksha Padak

• Awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances involving grave bodily injury to the rescuer.

Eligibility and Nomination Process

• Eligibility: Persons from all walks of life are eligible, including civilians, government employees, and uniformed personnel.
• The award can also be conferred posthumously, honouring those who sacrificed their lives while saving others.
• Nominations:
  • Invited annually from States/Union Territories and Union Ministries.
  • The recommendations are examined by the Awards Committee within two calendar years from the date of the act.
• Approval Process:
  • Final approval is accorded by the Prime Minister and the President of India.

Award Structure and Benefits

Each award consists of:

• A Medal
• A Certificate
• A one-time monetary allowance:
  • Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹2 lakh
  • Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹1.5 lakh
  • Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹1 lakh

The awardees are presented the decoration by the respective Union Ministry, Organisation, or State Government to which they belong.

Note: No additional facilities or concessions (e.g., railways, airfare) are provided by the government.

Significance of the Jeevan Raksha Padak Awards

• Promotes Civic Responsibility: Encourages citizens to act selflessly during emergencies.
• Strengthens Ethical Values: Highlights virtues such as courage, compassion, and public service.
• Role Modelling: Provides real-life examples of moral courage, inspiring society, especially youth.
• Disaster Response Culture: Supports India’s broader efforts to strengthen community-level disaster preparedness and emergency response.