Padma Awards 2026 announced ahead of Republic Day. Discover the full list of awardees, including Dharmendra, Rohit Sharma, Mammootty, and Harmanpreet Kaur, along with award categories and significance.
Padma Awards 2026 Announced: Celebrating India’s Unsung Heroes Across Fields
Comprehensive List of Padma Awards 2026 Honorees
The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2026 ahead of the 77th Republic Day, recognising 131 distinguished individuals for their exceptional contributions to society in various fields such as Art, Public Affairs, Literature, Education, Science, Medicine, Sports and Social Work. These awards are among the highest civilian honors of India and reflect the nation’s gratitude towards citizens who have made lasting impacts through their service and excellence.
This year, the Padma honours are categorised into three levels:
- Padma Vibhushan – the second-highest civilian award
- Padma Bhushan – the third-highest civilian award
- Padma Shri – the fourth-highest civilian award
A total of 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards were approved by the President of India and announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs, showcasing excellence and diversity across India.
Notable recipients include legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra Singh Deol, who was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously for his lifelong contribution to Indian cinema; Mammootty, the iconic Malayalam actor, who received the Padma Bhushan for his artistic achievements; and eminent sportspersons such as Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur being awarded the Padma Shri for their excellence in cricket.
Inclusivity and Diversity in Awardees
This year’s awards highlight not only high-profile personalities but also grassroots changemakers and unsung heroes working tirelessly in underserved regions. The Padma Shri list includes individuals from remote areas and tribal communities who have made significant contributions to social service, education, healthcare, traditional arts, environment, and community development.
States with the highest numbers of awardees include Maharashtra (15), Tamil Nadu (13), Uttar Pradesh (11), West Bengal (11), and Kerala (8), indicating widespread representation from different parts of India. The list also includes several posthumous awards, NRIs, OCIs and foreign nationals, showcasing global recognition of India’s cultural and intellectual contributions.
Ceremony and Historical Significance
The Padma Awards are traditionally announced on the eve of Republic Day and presented by the President of India at a ceremonial function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April every year. These awards stand as a testament to India’s democratic spirit of honouring excellence without distinction of race, occupation, gender, or social status.
Why This News Is Important for Government Exams
Relevance to Exam Syllabi
The Padma Awards 2026 announcement is a crucial current affairs topic for competitive exams like UPSC Civil Services (IAS/PCS), SSC CGL/CHSL, Banking (IBPS/SBI), Railways (RRB), and Defence Exams (NDA/CDS/AFCAT). Questions on National Awards and Honours, Republic Day celebrations, distinguished personalities, and their contributions are frequently asked in General Awareness/General Knowledge sections.
Exam papers often test aspirants on:
- Names of awardees and their fields
- Categories of national civilian awards
- Purpose and criteria of honours like Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri
- Context of Republic Day and national recognition systems
Understanding the Padma Awards also helps students grasp the impact of civic contributions across diverse fields—social work, arts, sports, and science—connecting current affairs with static GK (General Knowledge) and culture. Knowledge of awardees like Harmanpreet Kaur or Rohit Sharma might appear in sports questions, while recognition of grassroots social workers connects to social issues topics.
Context for Interview/Essay Stages
For aspirants preparing for interview or mains exams, this news can be used as an example of how the government acknowledges service and social impact, emphasising inclusivity and the role of civil society. It reflects India’s ethos of rewarding merit, perseverance, and service beyond conventional leadership roles.
Historical Context of Padma Awards
Origins and Evolution of Padma Awards in India
The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 to honour distinguished contributions by Indian citizens across all walks of life. Initially, the awards were classified into three categories which were later renamed in 1955 to the current titles: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
These civilian honours were created alongside the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, which recognises exceptional service and performance of the highest order in any field. While Bharat Ratna precedes it, the Padma Awards broaden national recognition to various fields beyond public service, including culture, education, science, and social work.
The selection process involves recommendations from state and union territory governments, various ministries, previous awardees, Institutes of Eminence, and sometimes public nominations. A Padma Awards Committee—constituted by the Prime Minister—evaluates nominations and finalises the list, which is approved by the President of India.
Over decades, these awards have recognised both celebrated personalities and unsung heroes, reinforcing the idea that service to society transcends fame and stature. The inclusion of posthumous awards and international recipients reflects India’s evolving and inclusive approach towards contributions that promote national pride and global harmony.
Key Takeaways from Padma Awards 2026 News
| Sr. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Padma Awards 2026 were announced ahead of Republic Day, recognising 131 individuals for distinguished service in various fields. |
| 2 | Padma Vibhushan recipients include Dharmendra (posthumous), K.T. Thomas, N. Rajam, P. Narayanan and V.S. Achuthanandan (posthumous). |
| 3 | Padma Bhushan honours were conferred on personalities like Mammootty, Alka Yagnik, Uday Kotak, Vijay Amritraj, and Shibu Soren. |
| 4 | Padma Shri awards include sportspersons like Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and social workers, doctors, scientists, and artists from across India. |
| 5 | The awards reflect inclusive representation from states and unsung grassroots contributors, highlighting India’s diverse achievements. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Padma Awards 2026
Q1. What are the Padma Awards 2026 and when were they announced?
A: Padma Awards 2026 are India’s prestigious civilian honours recognising excellence in Art, Literature, Public Affairs, Education, Medicine, Science, Sports, and Social Work. They were announced ahead of the 77th Republic Day.
Q2. How many people were awarded in Padma Awards 2026?
A: A total of 131 individuals were conferred with Padma Awards: 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri.
Q3. Name some notable recipients of Padma Awards 2026.
A: Notable recipients include Dharmendra (Padma Vibhushan), Mammootty (Padma Bhushan), Rohit Sharma, and Harmanpreet Kaur (Padma Shri).
Q4. What is the significance of Padma Awards for competitive exams?
A: Questions on national awards, awardees, fields of contribution, and Republic Day announcements are frequently asked in exams like UPSC, SSC, IBPS, RRB, and Defence services.
Q5. Which is the highest civilian award in India, and how do Padma Awards rank?
A: Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award. Padma Vibhushan is the second-highest, followed by Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
Q6. Can foreign nationals receive Padma Awards?
A: Yes, NRIs, OCIs, and foreign nationals can be honoured for outstanding contributions in their respective fields benefiting India.
Q7. Where is the Padma Awards ceremony held?
A: The awards are conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually in March or April after Republic Day.
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