On the eve of Republic Day, the President of India announced the conferment of the Padma Vibhushan, the nation’s second-highest civilian honor, on former Chief Justice of India, Justice Jagdish Singh Khehar. Additionally, Senior Advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan has been awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to the field of law.
Justice Khehar’s Distinguished Career
Justice Khehar’s journey in the legal field began at Panjab University, Chandigarh, where he earned his law degree in 1977, followed by an LL.M. in 1979. He enrolled as an advocate the same year and practiced primarily in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Himachal Pradesh High Court, and the Supreme Court of India. In February 1995, he was designated as a Senior Advocate.
Justice Khehar was appointed as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 1999. Over the years, he served as Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court (2009) and the Karnataka High Court (2010) before being elevated to the Supreme Court in September 2011. His tenure culminated in his appointment as the Chief Justice of India on January 4, 2017. He retired from this esteemed position on August 27, 2017.
Padma Awards 2025: Recognizing Excellence
This year, the President approved a total of 139 Padma awards, comprising 7 Padma Vibhushan, 19 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honors. These prestigious awards are among the highest civilian distinctions in India, recognizing exceptional contributions in fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science, medicine, literature, trade and industry, and more.
The Padma awards are presented in three categories:
• Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service.
• Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of a high order.
• Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
The awards ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, is traditionally organized in March or April, where the President formally confers the honors on the recipients.
Justice Khehar’s recognition underscores his remarkable contributions to India’s legal system and judiciary, making him a symbol of excellence and integrity in the field of law.
