On the eve of Republic Day, the President of India has approved the conferment of the prestigious Padma Vibhushan on former Chief Justice of India (CJI) Jagdish Singh Khehar, honoring his significant contributions to the judiciary.

Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan has also been recognized with the Padma Shri for his exceptional contributions to the field of law.

Justice Khehar earned his law degree from Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 1977, followed by an LL.M. from the same institution in 1979. He began his legal career by enrolling as an Advocate in 1979, primarily practicing at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Himachal Pradesh High Court, and the Supreme Court. He was designated as a Senior Advocate in February 1995.

Justice Khehar's judicial journey began with his appointment as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 8, 1999. He later served as:

• Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court (November 29, 2009)
• Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court (August 2010)
• Judge of the Supreme Court (September 13, 2011)

On January 4, 2017, Justice Khehar became the 44th Chief Justice of India, a position he held until his retirement on August 27, 2017.

Padma Awards 2025: Honoring Excellence

This year, the President of India has approved a total of 139 Padma awards, including:

• 7 Padma Vibhushan
• 19 Padma Bhushan
• 113 Padma Shri

The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honors, celebrate excellence in diverse fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science, engineering, medicine, literature, and trade. These accolades are categorized as:

• Padma Shri (distinguished service)
• Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of a high order)
• Padma Vibhushan (exceptional and distinguished service)

The awards are presented by the President of India at a formal ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan, typically held in March or April each year.

This recognition highlights the remarkable achievements and lasting legacies of individuals like Justice Khehar and Senior Advocate Vaidyanathan in shaping India's legal landscape.