The Padma Awards, among the highest civilian honours of India, were officially announced on the occasion of Republic Day 2026. Conferred annually by the President of India, these awards recognise individuals for exceptional service and distinguished contributions across a wide range of fields including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, medicine, literature, education, sports, civil service, and trade and industry.
For the year 2026, the President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including two duo cases (counted as one award each). The list comprises:
- 5 Padma Vibhushan
- 13 Padma Bhushan
- 113 Padma Shri
Notably, the 2026 list includes 19 women awardees, 6 foreign nationals / NRI / PIO / OCI recipients, and 16 posthumous honours, reflecting India’s inclusive approach to recognising excellence beyond borders and lifetimes.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are civilian honours, meaning they are not linked to military service. They recognise lifelong dedication, excellence, and national impact.
There are three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan – For exceptional and distinguished service
- Padma Bhushan – For distinguished service of a high order
- Padma Shri – For distinguished service in any field
The awards are announced every year on Republic Day (26 January) and are formally presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually during ceremonial functions held in March or April.
Fields Covered by Padma Awards
Padma Awards are not limited to celebrities or politicians. They cover a wide range of disciplines, including:
- 🎨 Art & Culture
- 🤝 Social Work
- 🏛️ Public Affairs
- 🔬 Science & Engineering
- 🏭 Trade & Industry
- 🩺 Medicine
- 📚 Literature & Education
- 🏅 Sports
- 🧑💼 Civil Service
- 🌱 Agriculture, Archaeology, Spiritualism & more
When and Where Are Padma Awards Given?
Although the winners are announced on Republic Day, the actual award ceremony takes place:
- 📍 Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
- 📅 Time: March–April 2026
- 🎖️ Presented by: The President of India
Family members receive the award in posthumous cases.
Padma Awards 2026: Key Highlights at a Glance
- Total Awards: 131
- Padma Vibhushan: 5
- Padma Bhushan: 13
- Padma Shri: 113
- Women Awardees: 19
- Foreign / NRI / OCI Awardees: 6
- Posthumous Awards: 16
- Duo Awards: 2 (counted as one each)
List of Padma Vibhushan Awardees 2026 (5)
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, recognises individuals whose contributions have had a transformational national or global impact.
| Name | Field | State / Country | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dharmendra Singh Deol | Art (Cinema) | Maharashtra | Posthumous |
| K. T. Thomas | Public Affairs | Kerala | — |
| N. Rajam | Art (Classical Music) | Uttar Pradesh | — |
| P. Narayanan | Literature & Education | Kerala | — |
| V. S. Achuthanandhan | Public Affairs | Kerala | Posthumous |
These awardees represent excellence in arts, governance, education, and public life, leaving behind enduring legacies.
List of Padma Bhushan Awardees 2026 (13)
The Padma Bhushan honours distinguished service of a high order across multiple domains.
Key Padma Bhushan Recipients:
| Name | Field | State / Country |
|---|---|---|
| Ms. Alka Yagnik | Art | Maharashtra |
| Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari | Public Affairs | Uttarakhand |
| Shri Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy | Medicine | Tamil Nadu |
| Shri Mammootty | Art | Kerala |
| Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu | Medicine | United States of America |
| Shri Piyush Pandey (Posthumous) | Art | Maharashtra |
| Shri S K M Maeilanandhan | Social Work | Tamil Nadu |
| Shri Shatavadhani R Ganesh | Art | Karnataka |
| Shri Shibu Soren (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Jharkhand |
| Shri Uday Kotak | Trade and Industry | Maharashtra |
| Shri V K Malhotra (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Delhi |
| Shri Vellappally Natesan | Public Affairs | Kerala |
| Shri Vijay Amritraj | Sports | United States of America |
List of Padma Shri Awardees 2026: Celebrating Grassroots Heroes
A defining feature of the Padma Shri Awards 2026 is the recognition of individuals whose work often remained outside the national spotlight but created deep and lasting impact.
Notable Grassroots Padma Shri Awardees
- Anke Gowda M. (Social Work, Karnataka):
A former bus conductor who founded Pustak Mane, one of India’s largest free-access libraries, housing over two million books, making knowledge accessible to thousands. - Armida Fernandez (Medicine, Maharashtra):
A pioneering pediatrician who established Asia’s first human milk bank, playing a crucial role in improving infant survival rates. - Bhagwandas Raikwar (Sports, Madhya Pradesh):
Honoured for promoting Bundeli war art, preserving a traditional martial discipline. - Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda (Art, Maharashtra):
A nonagenarian folk artist known for mastering the rare Tarpa musical instrument, keeping an endangered art form alive. - Brij Lal Bhat (Social Work, Jammu & Kashmir):
Recognised for his contributions to social welfare in the region. - Budhri Tati (Social Work, Chhattisgarh):
Honoured for establishing schools in Naxal-affected areas, bringing education to underserved communities. - Charan Hembram (Literature & Education, Odisha):
A noted Santhali author and composer, contributing to indigenous literature. - Chiranji Lal Yadav (Art, Uttar Pradesh):
An expert in traditional brass engraving, preserving artisanal heritage. - Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya (Art, Gujarat):
A respected exponent of Gujarati folk art. - Gafruddin Mewati Jogi (Art, Rajasthan):
A prominent Jogi folk artist, recognised for cultural preservation. - Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G (Social Work, Kerala):
Known for her long-standing commitment to social service. - Mahendra Kumar Mishra (Literature & Education, Odisha):
An educator dedicated to preserving tribal languages. - Mohan Nagar (Social Work, Madhya Pradesh):
An environmentalist and social worker with significant grassroots impact. - Padma Gurmet (Medicine, Ladakh):
A doctor recognised for her medical service in remote Himalayan regions. - Taga Ram Bheel (Art, Rajasthan):
A renowned Bheel folk artist. - Techi Gubin (Social Work, Arunachal Pradesh):
Noted for impactful social work in the northeastern state. - Yumnam Jatra Singh (Art, Manipur – Posthumous):
Honoured for his contribution to art and culture.
Sports and Entertainment Icons Honoured with Padma Shri 2026
Alongside grassroots contributors, the Padma Shri 2026 list also recognises several nationally celebrated figures from sports and cinema, whose influence has shaped popular culture and inspired millions.
Sports Personalities
- Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (Sports, Punjab):
Captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. - Rohit Sharma (Sports, Maharashtra):
Former captain of the Indian men’s cricket team. - Savita Punia (Sports, Haryana):
Goalkeeper and vice-captain of the Indian women’s hockey team.
Entertainment & Cinema
- R. Madhavan (Art, Maharashtra):
Acclaimed Indian actor known for his work across languages. - Prosenjit Chatterjee (Art, West Bengal):
A leading figure in Bengali cinema. - Satish Shah (Art, Maharashtra – Posthumous):
Veteran actor honoured for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Strong Women Representation in Padma Awards 2026
This year’s list includes 19 women awardees, recognised for excellence in:
- Medicine
- Sports
- Literature
- Classical and folk arts
- Social reform
This reflects India’s growing emphasis on inclusive recognition.
Global Indians and Foreign Awardees
The Padma Awards 2026 also honour international contributors:
- 6 awardees from USA, Germany, and Russia
- Recognised for promoting Indian culture, sports, medicine, and education globally
For the complete and official list of all 113 Padma Shri awardees, readers are advised to visit the official Padma Awards website.
Why Padma Awards Are Important for India
The Padma Awards:
- Honour service over fame
- Encourage nation-building beyond politics
- Bring attention to regional and grassroots excellence
- Inspire young Indians to contribute meaningfully
They remind us that impact matters more than popularity.
Final Thoughts
The Padma Awards 2026 celebrate the spirit of India — diverse, hardworking, and deeply rooted in service. From world-famous artists to quiet change-makers in villages and universities, this year’s list showcases the true strength of the nation.
As India marks another Republic Day, these honours stand as a tribute to dedication, excellence, and lifelong commitment.
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