Deadline: 18-Jun-2026
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest invites Indian citizens to create original 60–75 second reels highlighting the inspiring journeys of Padma awardees. The top 10 winners will each receive INR 21,000 and an invitation to attend the Padma Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The contest is open to Indian citizens of all ages, except employees and relatives of MyGov and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Overview
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest encourages Indian citizens to celebrate the inspiring stories of Padma awardees through creative digital storytelling.
Participants must create original reels that highlight how ordinary individuals have made extraordinary contributions to society and earned national recognition through the Padma Awards.
The contest promotes awareness of the Padma Awards while encouraging citizens to reflect on values such as dedication, public service, national achievement, and social contribution.
Purpose of the Contest
The purpose of the contest is to inspire citizens through the life stories and achievements of Padma awardees.
Participants are encouraged to show how these stories motivate personal growth and how similar values can be applied in their own lives.
The contest uses short-form video storytelling to make the stories of Padma awardees more accessible, engaging, and widely shared.
Key Focus Areas
The contest focuses on Padma awardees, public service, national recognition, inspiring journeys, extraordinary contributions, social impact, personal motivation, creative storytelling, digital video reels, citizen participation, Indian values, dedication, and awareness of the Padma Awards.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours.
They recognise individuals who have made exceptional contributions in different fields such as public service, arts, literature, education, science, social work, medicine, sports, trade, industry, and other areas of national importance.
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest highlights these awardees by encouraging citizens to share their inspiring stories in a short video format.
What Participants Need to Create
Participants must create an original reel about the inspiring journey of a Padma awardee.
The reel should explain:
- Who the Padma awardee is
- What contribution they made to society
- Why their journey is inspiring
- What values their story represents
- How the story motivates the participant personally
- How similar values can be applied in everyday life
The reel should be respectful, original, and suitable for public viewing.
Reel Format Requirements
Submitted reels must follow the required format.
Entries must be:
- 60 to 75 seconds long
- Submitted in MP4 format
- Original and unpublished
- Created by the participant
- Not AI-generated
- Respectful and non-offensive
- Based on the inspiring story of a Padma awardee
Submissions may be made in Hindi, English, or any regional language.
Who Is Eligible?
The contest is open to all Indian citizens.
Eligible participants may include:
- Students
- Youth
- Working professionals
- Artists
- Content creators
- Educators
- Community members
- Senior citizens
- Citizens from any profession or background
There is no restriction based on age, gender, or profession.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Employees and relatives of MyGov and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting are not eligible to participate.
Participants must also ensure that their entries are original and not previously published or AI-generated.
Prize and Benefits
The top 10 winners will each receive a cash prize of INR 21,000.
The winners will also receive an invitation to attend the Padma Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
For winners residing outside Delhi NCR, economy class air travel will be arranged by the Ministry.
Additional support will be provided for certain winners:
- Winners below 18 years of age will be accompanied by a guardian
- Girls below 23 years of age will be accompanied by a guardian
There is no entry fee for participation.
Why It Matters
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest matters because it brings the stories of national achievers closer to citizens.
Many Padma awardees come from ordinary backgrounds but have created extraordinary impact through service, innovation, courage, creativity, and dedication.
By creating reels about these awardees, participants help spread awareness of their contributions and inspire others to take positive action in their own communities.
The contest also encourages young people and digital creators to use social media and video storytelling for meaningful civic engagement.
How to Participate
Participants must submit their original reels through the MyGov portal.
Step 1: Choose a Padma Awardee
Select a Padma awardee whose story inspires you.
The awardee may be known for contributions in areas such as social work, arts, education, medicine, science, public service, sports, culture, environment, or community development.
Step 2: Research the Awardee’s Journey
Learn about the awardee’s background, achievements, challenges, and contribution to society.
Focus on the human story behind the recognition.
Step 3: Plan the Reel
Prepare a short script or storyboard before recording.
The reel should clearly explain the awardee’s contribution and how their journey inspires you.
A strong reel may include:
- A brief introduction
- The awardee’s key contribution
- Why the story matters
- Your personal reflection
- A closing message of inspiration
Step 4: Create the Video
Record and edit the reel within the required 60 to 75 second duration.
Ensure the video is clear, respectful, original, and suitable for public viewing.
Do not use AI-generated content or previously published material.
Step 5: Check the Format
Before submitting, make sure the reel is in MP4 format.
Also confirm that the content is not offensive, misleading, copied, or unrelated to the contest theme.
Step 6: Submit on the MyGov Portal
Upload the completed reel through the MyGov portal according to the official contest instructions.
There is no entry fee to participate.
Selection and Recognition
The top 10 entries will be selected as winners.
Winning entries will be recognised with:
- INR 21,000 cash prize per winner
- Invitation to attend the Padma Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Economy class air travel for winners outside Delhi NCR
- Guardian support for eligible minor winners and girls below 23 years of age
Selection is expected to focus on originality, relevance to the theme, storytelling quality, respectfulness, and the strength of personal reflection.
Tips for a Strong Reel
A strong reel should be inspiring, clear, and emotionally engaging.
Participants should:
- Choose a Padma awardee with a powerful story
- Keep the message focused and easy to understand
- Use simple language
- Highlight the awardee’s real contribution
- Explain how the story personally inspires you
- Stay within the 60 to 75 second limit
- Use respectful visuals and narration
- Avoid exaggerated or unsupported claims
- Make sure the reel is original and not AI-generated
- End with a clear message about public service or national inspiration
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Participants should avoid submitting reels that do not follow the rules.
Common mistakes include:
- Creating a video shorter than 60 seconds or longer than 75 seconds
- Submitting a file in a format other than MP4
- Using AI-generated content
- Submitting copied or previously published content
- Not focusing on a Padma awardee
- Making the reel too general or unclear
- Not including personal reflection
- Using offensive or disrespectful language
- Missing the MyGov portal submission process
- Submitting content that does not relate to the contest theme
FAQ
1. What is the PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest?
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest is a creative video competition that invites Indian citizens to submit original reels highlighting the inspiring journeys of Padma awardees.
2. Who can participate?
All Indian citizens can participate, regardless of age, gender, or profession, except employees and relatives of MyGov and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. What should the reel be about?
The reel should focus on the inspiring story of a Padma awardee and explain how that story motivates the participant personally.
4. What is the required reel duration?
The reel must be 60 to 75 seconds long.
5. What format should be used?
The reel must be submitted in MP4 format through the MyGov portal.
6. What will the winners receive?
The top 10 winners will each receive INR 21,000 and an invitation to attend the Padma Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
7. Is there any entry fee?
No. There is no entry fee for participating in the contest.
Conclusion
The PeoplesPadmaAwards Reel Contest offers Indian citizens a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the inspiring journeys of Padma awardees through creative storytelling. By submitting original 60–75 second reels, participants can highlight stories of dedication, public service, and national achievement while reflecting on how these values can shape their own lives. With cash prizes, national recognition, and an opportunity for winners to attend the Padma Awards Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the contest encourages citizens to use digital media to honour India’s extraordinary achievers.
For more information, visit MyGov.
