The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2026, recognising individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation across diverse fields such as art, sports, public affairs, medicine, literature, and social service. The honours were revealed on the eve of Republic Day, continuing a long-standing national tradition.
This year, 131 individuals have been selected for the prestigious civilian awards, spread across three categories – Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The list reflects India’s cultural, professional, and social diversity, featuring celebrated artists, sportspersons, business leaders, and public servants.
Padma Awards 2026: Key Highlights
- Total awardees: 131
- Padma Vibhushan: 5
- Padma Bhushan: 13
- Padma Shri: 113
- Women awardees: 19
- Posthumous honours: 16
- Foreign / NRI / OCI recipients: 6
Padma Vibhushan Winners 2026
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, is conferred for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Dharmendra Singh Deol – Art (Posthumous)
- K. T. Thomas – Public Affairs
- N. Rajam – Art (Classical Music)
- P. Narayanan – Literature & Education
- V. S. Achuthanandan – Public Affairs (Posthumous)
Padma Bhushan Winners 2026
The Padma Bhushan recognises distinguished service of a high order.
- Alka Yagnik – Music
- Bhagat Singh Koshyari – Public Affairs
- K. R. Palaniswamy – Medicine
- Mammootty – Cinema
- Nori Dattatreyudu – Medicine
- Piyush Pandey – Advertising (Posthumous)
- S. K. M. Maeilanandhan – Social Work
- Shatavadhani R. Ganesh – Literature & Education
- Shibu Soren – Public Affairs (Posthumous)
- Uday Kotak – Trade & Industry
- V. K. Malhotra – Public Affairs (Posthumous)
- Vellappally Natesan – Social Work
- Vijay Amritraj – Sports (Tennis)
Padma Shri Winners 2026 (Selected Names)
The Padma Shri honours distinguished service in various fields. Among this year’s recipients are well-known names from sports, medicine, and the arts.
- Rohit Sharma – Cricket
- Harmanpreet Kaur – Cricket
- Savita Punia – Hockey
- Armida Fernandez – Medicine
- Prosenjit Chatterjee – Cinema
- Madhavan Ranganathan – Art
(The complete list includes 113 Padma Shri awardees across India.)
Why the Padma Awards 2026 Stand Out
- Legendary actor Dharmendra has been honoured posthumously for his lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
- Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma joins the list of sportspersons recognised for excellence and leadership.
- Artists like Alka Yagnik and Mammootty highlight the continued recognition of India’s cultural icons.
- The awards reflect a balanced mix of grassroots contributors and nationally recognised personalities.
FAQs:
When are the Padma Awards announced?
The Padma Awards are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day, January 25.
Who presents the Padma Awards?
The awards are formally conferred by the President of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
What are the three Padma Award categories?
Padma Vibhushan: Exceptional and distinguished service
Padma Bhushan: Distinguished service of high order
Padma Shri: Distinguished service in any field
Can Padma Awards be given posthumously?
Yes, Padma Awards can be awarded posthumously, as seen in the 2026 honours list.
Disclaimer
This article is an original, independent rewrite created for informational purposes in a Google-blog style. Details are based on publicly announced information about the Padma Awards 2026.
