On 26 January 2017, the Government of India announced conferment of the Padma Bhushan Award on Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for Her exemplary contribution in the field of literature and education on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day of India. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is the only foreign recipient of the Award this year, as well as the first royal and Thai person to be conferred the Award by the Government of India.

          Padma Bhushan Award is one of the highest civilian awards conferred by the Government of India in recognition of distinguished service of a higher order in various disciplines such as art, science and technology, literature and education, trade and industry, and medicine. The Award is announced on 26 January every year, which is the Republic Day of India. In the past 35 years, the Government of India conferred the Award to 37 foreigners such as Mr. Bill Gates, American entrepreneur, H.E. Mr. George Yong-Boon, former Minister of various Ministries of Singapore, and H.E. Mr. Yoshiro Mori, former Prime Minister of Japan.