On the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, the Government of India announced the prestigious Padma Awards for 2026, celebrating individuals who have demonstrated exceptional service and brilliance across various disciplines. This year, the list is a blend of cinematic legends, sporting icons, and silent crusaders who have worked at the grassroots level.
President Droupadi Murmu approved a total of 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.
Cinematic Legends and Sporting Icons Take Center Stage
The 2026 announcement is particularly poignant for the Indian film industry. Dharmendra Singh Deol, the beloved “He-Man” of Bollywood, has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous). This recognition honors his six-decade-long career and his status as a “living institution” of Indian cinema until his passing in late 2024.
Meanwhile, Malayalam cinema’s megastar Mammootty has been honored with the Padma Bhushan, a testament to his prolific career spanning over 400 films. In the world of sports, Rohit Sharma received the Padma Shri, recognizing his leadership in guiding India to recent historic victories, including the T20 World Cup 2024 and the Champions Trophy 2025.
The High Honors: Padma Vibhushan & Padma Bhushan
These awards represent the second and third-highest civilian honors in the country.
Padma Vibhushan Recipients (5)
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
| Name | Field | State/Category |
| Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) | Art | Maharashtra |
| V.S. Achuthanandan (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Kerala |
| Ms. N. Rajam | Art | Uttar Pradesh |
| Shri P. Narayanan | Literature & Education | Kerala |
| Shri K.T. Thomas | Public Affairs | Kerala |
Padma Bhushan Recipients (13)
This category features a diverse mix of artists, doctors, and business leaders.
- Art: Mammootty (Kerala), Alka Yagnik (Maharashtra), Piyush Pandey (Posthumous – Maharashtra), Shatavadhani R. Ganesh (Karnataka).
- Public Affairs: Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Uttarakhand), Shibu Soren (Posthumous – Jharkhand), V.K. Malhotra (Posthumous – Delhi), Vellappally Natesan (Kerala).
- Medicine: Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu (USA), Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy (Tamil Nadu).
- Sports: Vijay Amritraj (USA).
- Trade & Industry: Uday Kotak (Maharashtra).
- Social Work: S.K.M. Maeilanandhan (Tamil Nadu).
Padma Shri: Celebrating Grassroots Heroes
The 113 Padma Shri awardees include several “unsung heroes” who have dedicated their lives to social causes, traditional arts, and science.
“The ‘People’s Padma’ continues to shine a light on those who work away from the spotlight, from tribal musicians to pioneering doctors in rural India.”
Notable Padma Shri Winners:
- Sports: Rohit Sharma (Cricket), Harmanpreet Kaur (Cricket), Savita Punia (Hockey), Praveen Kumar (Para-sports).
- Art: R. Madhavan, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Satish Shah (Posthumous), Taga Ram Bheel (Folk Music).
- Science & Medicine: Chandramouli Gaddamanugu (Telangana), Dr. Padma Gurmet (Ladakh).
- Literature: Mangala Kapoor (Uttar Pradesh), Sivasankari (Tamil Nadu).
Diversity and Statistics of 2026
The 2026 list reflects a concerted effort toward inclusivity and global recognition:
- Women Awardees: 19 women have been honored this year.
- Posthumous Honors: 16 individuals were recognized for their lifelong contributions.
- International Footprint: 6 awardees belong to the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category.
The awards will be formally presented by the President of India at a ceremonial function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April 2026.
