Padma Awards 2026 announced: Dharmendra, Rohit Sharma, Mammootty among 131 honourees
India unveiled the Padma Awards 2026 list on the eve of the 77th Republic Day. The Centre released the names as part of the annual tradition. The Padma Awards rank among the country’s highest civilian honours. Every year, the government recognises excellence across diverse fields.
This year, the President approved 131 Padma Awards. The list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Together, these honours highlight achievements in art, sports, public affairs, science, medicine, social work, and civil service.
To begin with, the Padma Vibhushan category drew wide attention. Veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol received the honour posthumously for his contribution to Indian cinema. Former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan also received the award posthumously for public service. In addition, violinist N Rajam earned recognition for her work in classical music. P Narayanan received the award for contributions to literature and education. K T Thomas joined the list for his role in public affairs.
Next, the Padma Bhushan category featured several prominent names. Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty received the award for his contribution to art. Singer Alka Yagnik earned recognition for her impact on Indian music. Industrialist Uday Kotak received the honour for his role in trade and industry. Former tennis player Vijay Amritraj gained recognition for his contribution to sports. Several leaders, doctors, artists, and social workers also featured in this category, reflecting the breadth of the awards.
Meanwhile, the Padma Shri list remained the largest. Cricketer Rohit Sharma received the award for his contribution to sports. Actor R Madhavan earned recognition for his work in cinema. Women’s cricket stars Harmanpreet Kaur and Savita Punia also appeared among the awardees. The list included achievers from fields such as archaeology, agriculture, radio broadcasting, animal husbandry, and education.
In terms of regional representation, Maharashtra topped the list with 15 awardees. Tamil Nadu followed with 13 names. Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal accounted for 11 awardees each. Kerala secured eight honours. This distribution underlined the nationwide spread of talent and service.
For context, the Padma Awards date back to 1954. Since then, they have recognised individuals who shape India’s cultural, social, and intellectual life. The Padma Vibhushan honours exceptional and distinguished service. The Padma Bhushan recognises service of high order. The Padma Shri acknowledges distinguished contributions in any field.
Importantly, the awards do not restrict recognition to high-profile names alone. Many recipients work at the grassroots level. Farmers, teachers, social workers, and folk artists also feature every year. This approach aligns with the government’s stated aim of honouring unsung heroes.
Looking ahead, the President will confer the Padma Awards at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan. These ceremonies usually take place in March or April. Families of posthumous awardees will receive the honours on behalf of the recipients.
Overall, the Padma Awards 2026 list reflects diversity in achievement and service. It blends legacy names with contemporary achievers. At the same time, it reinforces the idea that excellence can emerge from any corner of the country.
