Padma Awards 2026 Winners List: President Droupadi Murmu has approved 131 Padma Awards for 2026, announced on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day. This year’s prestigious honors recognize exceptional contributions across diverse fields, with notable recognitions for Bollywood legend Dharmendra, cricket captain Rohit Sharma, and hockey star Harmanpreet Kaur.
The complete list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, celebrating excellence in arts, sports, public service, medicine, and social work.
Padma Awards 2026 Winners List
Padma Vibhushan 2026: India’s Highest Civilian Honor
The Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, has been conferred upon five distinguished individuals this year. Veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol receives this honor posthumously, marking a bittersweet moment for Indian cinema enthusiasts.
| Recipient | Field of Excellence | State/Country | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dharmendra Singh Deol | Arts (Cinema) | Maharashtra | Posthumous |
| K.T. Thomas | Public Affairs | Kerala | – |
| N. Rajam | Arts (Music) | Uttar Pradesh | – |
| P. Narayanan | Literature & Education | Kerala | – |
| V.S. Achuthanandan | Public Affairs | Kerala | Posthumous |
Former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan also receives posthumous recognition for his decades-long contribution to public service and political leadership.
Padma Bhushan Awardees: 13 Exceptional Contributors
The Padma Bhushan honors include celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik, Malayalam superstar Mammootty, and business tycoon Uday Kotak. The awards span multiple disciplines, reflecting India’s diverse talent pool.
Notable Padma Bhushan Recipients:
- Alka Yagnik – Legendary playback singer with countless Bollywood hits
- Mammootty – Acclaimed actor and cultural icon from Kerala
- Uday Kotak – Banking and finance industry leader
- Vijay Amritraj – Tennis legend and global sports ambassador
- Piyush Pandey (Posthumous) – Advertising guru who revolutionized Indian marketing
The list also includes three posthumous honors for Piyush Pandey, Shibu Soren, and V.K. Malhotra, recognizing their lasting impact on their respective fields.
Padma Shri 2026: Celebrating Grassroots Excellence
With 113 recipients, the Padma Shri category represents the broadest recognition of talent and service. This year’s sports contingent stands out prominently.
Sports Champions Honored
| Athlete | Sport | State | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Cricket | Maharashtra | Indian Cricket Team Captain |
| Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar | Cricket | Punjab | Women’s Cricket Captain |
| Savita Punia | Hockey | Haryana | Goalkeeper, Indian Women’s Team |
| Praveen Kumar | Para-Athletics | Uttar Pradesh | Paralympic Medalist |
Rohit Sharma’s inclusion recognizes his exceptional leadership of the Indian cricket team and consistent performance across formats. Harmanpreet Kaur’s award celebrates her pioneering role in women’s cricket development.
Entertainment and Arts Recognition
The arts category features beloved actors and performers:
- Prosenjit Chatterjee – Bengali cinema icon
- Satish Shah (Posthumous) – Comedy legend remembered for iconic roles
- R. Madhavan – Acclaimed actor spanning multiple film industries
Medical and Scientific Excellence
The medical field sees recognition for pioneering practitioners:
- Dr. Armida Fernandez – Pediatric surgeon from Maharashtra
- Dr. Padma Gurmet – Healthcare champion from Ladakh
- Dr. A.E. Muthunayagam – Science and engineering contributions
Literature and Social Service
Writers, educators, and social workers comprise a significant portion of awardees:
- Sivasankari – Renowned Tamil writer
- Mahendra Kumar Mishra – Odia literature contributor
- Anke Gowda M. – Social work in Karnataka
- Dr. Budhri Tati – Community service in Chhattisgarh
Diversity and Inclusion in Padma Awards 2026
This year’s awards demonstrate impressive diversity:
- 19 women recipients – Nearly 15% of total awardees
- 16 posthumous honors – Recognizing lasting legacies
- 6 foreign nationals/NRIs/PIOs – Celebrating global Indian contribution
- 2 duo awards – Counted as single awards for collaborative work
State-wise Distribution
Maharashtra leads with multiple recipients across categories, followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. This geographic spread ensures representation from across India’s cultural landscape.
Significance of Padma Awards
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards represent India’s highest civilian honors after the Bharat Ratna. They recognize contributions that have enriched Indian society, culture, and public life. The awards are announced annually on Republic Day and presented by the President at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The 2026 list particularly emphasizes grassroots workers, tribal artists, and individuals who have made significant but often unrecognized contributions to their communities.
The Padma Awards 2026 winners list showcases India’s rich tapestry of talent, dedication, and service. From cricket stadiums to cinema screens, from hospital wards to remote villages, these 131 honorees represent the best of India’s spirit and achievement.
The recognition of sports stars like Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur alongside posthumous tributes to veterans like Dharmendra reflects both contemporary excellence and enduring legacy. As India celebrates Republic Day, these awards remind us of the extraordinary individuals who continue to shape the nation’s future while honoring its past.
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