Jan 26: The Government of India has announced 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026, recognising individuals for their exceptional contributions to the nation across diverse fields. The honours include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, reaffirming the country’s tradition of celebrating excellence and service.
Among the total awardees, 19 are women, while 16 awards are being conferred posthumously, reflecting both inclusivity and the remembrance of outstanding contributors who have shaped India’s social, cultural, and public life.
Several prominent personalities feature in the list this year. Renowned actors Dharmendra and Mammootty, former Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas, veteran politician V.S. Achuthanandhan, legendary playback singer Alka Yagnik, and star Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma are among the notable names to be honoured.
Padma Bhushan Awardees
The list of Padma Bhushan recipients includes celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, and eminent personalities such as Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy from Tamil Nadu and Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty from Kerala.
Other distinguished Padma Bhushan awardees include Nori Dattatreyudu, former tennis star Vijay Amritraj, industrialist S.K.M. Maeilanandhan from Tamil Nadu, scholar Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, banker Uday Kotak, and social leader Vellappally Natesan.
The Padma Bhushan has also been awarded posthumously to Piyush Pandey, V.K. Malhotra, and veteran tribal leader Shibu Soren.
Padma Shri Honours
A total of 113 individuals have been selected for the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth-highest civilian honour. The award recognises distinguished service in fields such as arts, social work, public affairs, medicine, agriculture, literature, education, science and sports.
In the sports category, prominent recipients include Indian cricket stalwart Rohit Sharma, former fast bowler Praveen Kumar, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, hockey legend Baldev Singh, athlete K. Pajanivel, and Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, acknowledging their outstanding contribution to Indian sports on the global stage.
The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred annually to recognise excellence, dedication and service to the nation. The 2026 list reflects the diversity of India’s talent, spanning cinema, music, sports, governance, social service and entrepreneurship.
The awards will be formally presented by the President of India at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, continuing a tradition that celebrates individuals who have enriched India’s national life and global standing.
