Career
She was honoured with the Ekalavya Award by Orissa Government in 2009. Born in Barambagarh, Odisha, Padmini Rout started playing chess at the age of nine (2003) because of her father"s passion for the game. The following year she finished first in the Asian Junior (Under-20) Girls Championship.
In the Asian Individual Women"s Championship 2011 she tied for 2nd–6th.
She graduated in Commerce from BJB College in Bhubaneswar.