Padma Awards – one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The Awards are given in various disciplines / fields of activities, viz.- art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service; ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of high order and ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March / April every year. For the year 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one) as per list below. The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 19 of the awardees are women and the list also includes 6 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 16 Posthumous awardees.
What the Padma Awards Represent
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and are given in three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan – For exceptional and distinguished service
- Padma Bhushan – For distinguished service of a high order
- Padma Shri – For distinguished service in any field
These awards cover a wide range of sectors including art, public affairs, education, medicine, science, sports, literature, social work, and trade.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees 2026 (Highlights)
The Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award, has been given to a select group of individuals this year. Key names include:
Dharmendra Singh Deol (Art, Posthumous)
V.S. Achuthanandan (Public Affairs, Posthumous)
Eminent contributors from literature, music, and public life
Padma Bhushan Awardees 2026 (Key Names)
The Padma Bhushan list features achievers from diverse backgrounds, including:
Alka Yagnik (Art)
Mammootty (Art)
Shibu Soren (Public Affairs, Posthumous)
Uday Kotak (Trade and Industry)
Vijay Amritraj (Sports)
These personalities have shaped India’s cultural, economic, and sporting identity.
Padma Shri Awardees 2026: Wide Representation
The Padma Shri category includes over 100 awardees, making it the most inclusive list. It recognises grassroots heroes, professionals, artists, doctors, educators, and social workers from across India.
Notable awardees include:
Rohit Sharma (Sports)
Prosenjit Chatterjee (Art)
Savita Punia (Sports)
Several unsung heroes working at the community level
This year’s list strongly reflects India’s diversity and regional representation.
Women and Global Representation
Out of the total awardees, 19 are women, highlighting growing recognition of women’s contributions. The list also includes foreign nationals, NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs, underlining India’s global cultural and professional influence.
Additionally, 16 awards have been given posthumously, honouring individuals whose legacy continues to inspire.
Government’s Message on Padma Awards 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Padma Awards reflect the Prime Minister’s vision of making them “People’s Padma”. The focus is on recognising real nation builders who bring meaningful social change and inspire others through their work.
According to the government, the awards aim to encourage service, innovation, and commitment to national development.
Why Padma Awards Matter
The Padma Awards go beyond fame. They honour:
- Lifelong dedication
- Grassroots impact
- Cultural and social influence
- Service to society
They remind citizens that nation-building happens not only in power corridors but also in classrooms, hospitals, villages, and sports fields.
Dharmendra and Shibu Soren Honoured Posthumously
Veteran film icon Dharmendra Singh Deol has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his immense contribution to Indian cinema and culture. Dharmendra, remembered for his decades-long career and massive fan following, remains one of Bollywood’s most respected legends.
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren has been conferred the Padma Bhushan posthumously for his lifelong role in tribal rights, social justice, and public affairs.
Winners From Odisha
Patro is a celebrated performer in the Sakhi Nata folk theatre tradition, having begun his training in this art form from a very young age. He specializes in Prahlad Natak, a demanding style that involves mastering over 300 songs composed in more than 35 ragas. To further the growth and preservation of Prahlad Natak, he even sold a significant portion of his personal property.
Similarly, Mishra is a distinguished linguist and folklorist from Odisha who has dedicated his career to documenting and safeguarding the oral traditions of the state’s tribal communities. He has meticulously recorded their myths, epics, proverbs, and songs, while authoring over 25 books on Odia and tribal folklore. His efforts played a key role in the introduction of multilingual education in several tribal languages across the state.
Mishra was conferred with International Mother Language Award 2023 of UNESCO for his lifetime service for the promotion of mother language in India.
The IANS also shared a video story in which Hembram was described as the sentinel of Santhanli language. He has tirelessly worked to establish legitimacy and greater recognition for the Santhali language and its associated arts. Over the last three decades, he established multiple institutions to make tribal and cultural education more accessible. Additionally, he has actively promoted indigenous dance forms among women to help sustain these traditional art expressions, it added.
Born in a traditional handloom weaver family in the manibandh Nuapatna Handloom Cluster of Cuttack’s Athgarh subdivision, Patra is know for creating magic with his loom. He weaves a wide range of elegant handloom like saree, dress materials, dhoti, scarf in cotton, silk as well as bapta (cotton and silk mixed) yarn. Fabrics woven by him are offered to Lord Jaganath in Puri on festive occasion. He was conferred with National Award winner for natural tie and dye products of Nuapatna in 1993 and Sant Kabir Award in 2015.
Conclusion
The Padma Awards 2026 celebrate India’s spirit of excellence, service, and diversity. From legendary actor Dharmendra and tribal leader Shibu Soren to cricket icon Rohit Sharma, the honours reflect the many ways individuals contribute to the nation. These awards strengthen the idea that dedication, integrity, and hard work truly define national pride.
