President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Florence Nightingale Awards 2026 on 15 nursing professionals at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The awards were presented in recognition of the recipients’ outstanding contribution to the field of nursing and healthcare services across the country.
The prestigious National Florence Nightingale Awards are given to Registered Nurses, Midwives, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Lady Health Visitors serving under Central and State governments, Union Territories, and voluntary organisations.
Each award carries a Certificate of Merit, a medal, and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh as a mark of the nation’s gratitude for the exceptional service rendered by healthcare professionals.
In her address, President Murmu said the occasion was a tribute to the invaluable role played by nursing personnel and healthcare workers who serve society with compassion, commitment, and dedication.
She stated that nurses uphold the highest standards of service and play a crucial role in delivering quality healthcare, often under challenging conditions.
The President also praised the awardees for their devotion to duty and tireless efforts towards patient care and public health.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Ministers of State for Health, including Prataprao Jadhav, and senior government officials attended the ceremony.
The National Florence Nightingale Award was instituted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 1973 to honour nurses and nursing professionals for their meritorious services to society and the healthcare sectors.
