Microsoft's Satya Nadella and Google's Sundar Pichai receive Padma Awards

This year's Padma Bhushan recipients include Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai.

After the Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan is India's third highest civilian award.

Art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service are among the categories for which the Padma accolades are bestowed.

Mr. Nadella, 54, and Mr. Pichai, 49, are Indian-American corporate executives who have been recognised for their contributions in the "trade and industry" area.

In keeping with annual custom, the government announced the honorees a day before the Republic Day ceremonies.

This year's Padma awards recognise a total of 128 individuals.