The names of the ministers have been proposed for their contribution in the field of education, sources said.

They are Health and Family Welfare Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Education Minister Osman Faruq, Science, Information and Communications Technology Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister for Religious Affairs Mosharef Hossain Shahjahan, and State Minister for Education ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon.

The names of freedom-fighter and renowned journalist late Shahadat Chowdhury, and managing director and chief editor of the state-run news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha Gaziul Hasan Khan were proposed for consideration for the nomination in the field of journalism.

The shortlist of the fifteen people and five ministers was prepared at a cabinet committee meeting on Wednesday.

Introduced in 1976, the Ekushey Padak is awarded for outstanding contribution to the Language Movement of 1952, and in the fields of education, literature, journalism, and culture.

Last year, Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman and Chief Whip Khandakar Delwar Hossain were awarded the Ekushey Padak for their contribution to the 1952 Language Movement.