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National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026
What’s the News?
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards for 2026 upon 15 nursing professionals at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The ceremony took place on the occasion of International Nurses Day, which is observed annually on May 12th to mark the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale. The award, considered the highest national honor for nursing personnel in India, recognizes meritorious services, compassion, and dedication in patient care.
About the National Florence Nightingale Award
- Instituted By: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in 1973.
- Highest National Recognition: It is the apex honor for nursing professionals in the country.
- Categories of Awardees: The award is open to Registered Nurses, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Registered Midwives, and Lady Health Visitors (LHVs).
- Sectors Covered: Nursing professionals working in Central Government, State Government, Union Territories, Private Institutions, Missionary Organizations, and Voluntary Organizations are eligible.
- Award Components: Each awardee receives:
- A Certificate of Merit
- A Medal
- A Cash Prize of ₹ 1,00,000 (₹ 1 Lakh)
Highlights of the 2026 Ceremony & Awardees
- Number of Awardees: 15 nursing professionals were recognized for the year 2026.
- Presidential Address: President Murmu described the occasion as a fitting tribute to nursing personnel who serve with compassion and unwavering dedication, often in challenging circumstances. She commended their devotion to duty and tireless efforts in upholding the highest standards of patient care.
- Presence of Officials: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministers of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav, and other senior officials attended the event.
- Notable Awardees (Examples of Exemplary Service):
- Aysha Beebi K (Lakshadweep): Recognized for successfully conducting a critical midnight delivery on a remote island.
- Kulwinder Parhi (Ladakh): An Auxiliary Nurse Midwife honored for nearly three decades of dedicated service in the challenging high-altitude terrain of Ladakh.
- Dr. Sharwan Kumar Dhaka (Delhi): Acknowledged for his significant contributions to Covid-19 vaccination outreach and broader public health services.
- Major General Lissamma P.V. (Army Medical Services): Recognized for her distinguished contributions to military healthcare.
Eligibility & Selection Process
- Minimum Experience: A nominee must have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in nursing.
- Selection Process:
- Nominations are invited through a prescribed application process and must be routed through the respective State/UT Health Department Selection Committee.
- The State/UT level committee, which includes representatives from bodies like the Trained Nurses Association of India (TNAI), screens and recommends candidates.
- The final selection is made by a Central Selection Committee constituted by the Indian Nursing Council (INC).
Additional Info
- Florence Nightingale (1820–1910):
- A British social reformer and statistician, considered the founder of modern nursing.
- Earned the nickname "The Lady with the Lamp" for her nightly rounds tending to wounded soldiers during the Crimean War (1853–1856).
- Pioneered the use of data visualization (the "Coxcomb" diagram) to advocate for sanitary reforms in hospitals.
- Established the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas' Hospital in London in 1860, the first secular nursing school in the world.
- International Nurses Day:
- Observed annually on May 12th, the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, to honor the contributions of nurses worldwide.