The Padma Awards 2026 stand among India’s highest civilian honors. The Government of India announced these awards on the eve of Republic Day 2026. The awards honor people who serve the nation with dedication and hard work. They celebrate great efforts in fields like arts, public affairs, sports, medicine, literature, science, social work, and trade & industry.
This year, 131 individuals earned the Padma Awards across three categories like Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are conferred annually and are considered among the most prestigious civilian honours in India.
- 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 presented by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees 2026 (Official List)
The Padma Vibhushan is the India’s second-highest civilian honor, has been awarded in 2026 to the following distinguished personalities:
| S. No. | Awardee Name | Field |
| 1 | Dharmendra | Art (Cinema) |
| 2 | K. T. Thomas | Public Affairs |
| 3 | N. Rajam | Art (Music) |
| 4 | P. Narayanan | Literature & Education |
| 5 | V. S. Achuthanandhan | Public Affairs |
Padma Bhushan Awardees 2026 (Official List)
The Padma Bhushan recognises distinguished service of a high order. The 2026 recipients are:
| S. No. | Awardee Name | Field |
| 1 | Alka Yagnik | Art (Music) |
| 2 | Bhagat Singh Koshyari | Public Affairs |
| 3 | K. R. Palanisamy | Medicine |
| 4 | Mammootty | Art (Cinema) |
| 5 | Nori Dattatreyudu | Medicine |
| 6 | Piyush Pandey | Art |
| 7 | S. K. M. Mailanandan | Social Work |
| 8 | Shatavadhani R. Ganesh | Art |
| 9 | Shibu Soren | Public Affairs |
| 10 | Uday Kotak | Trade & Industry |
| 11 | V. K. Malhotra | Public Affairs |
| 12 | Vellappally Natesan | Public Affairs |
| 13 | Vijay Amritraj | Sports |
Padma Shri Awardees 2026 (Selected Names)
The Padma Shri category honours distinguished service at both national and grassroots levels. Some of the notable recipients in 2026 include:
| S. No. | Awardee Name | Field |
| 1 | Rohit Sharma | Sports (Cricket) |
| 2 | Harmanpreet Kaur | Sports (Cricket) |
| 3 | Savita Punia | Sports (Hockey) |
| 4 | R. Madhavan | Art (Cinema) |
| 5 | Anke Gowda | Social Work |
| 6 | A. E. Muthunayagam | Science & Engineering |
| 7 | Anil Kumar Rastogi | Art (Theatre) |
| 8 | Armida Fernandez | Medicine |
| 9 | Ashok Khade | Trade & Industry |
| 10 | Asok Kumar Haldar | Literature & Education |
Key Highlights of Padma Awards 2026
- 131 total awardees across three categories
- Strong representation from arts, sports, medicine, social work, and public service
- Several posthumous honours recognising lifetime contributions
- Inclusion of grassroots innovators and community leaders alongside nationally known figures
Padma Awards 2026 Ceremony
The Padma Awards 2026 will take place at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President of India will proudly present the honours during special ceremonies between March and April 2026.
The Padma Awards 2026 once again shine a light on hard work, dedication, and service to the nation. This year’s awardees include famous names from cinema and public life, talented sportspersons and inspiring heroes. Together as they show the rich variety and strength of India’s achievements.
These honors remind us that meaningful work matters. Whether people serve the country on a big stage or help their local communities, their efforts continue to build a brighter future for India.
