The Padma Awards are among the highest honors given to civilians in India. They are announced every year on Republic Day. These awards recognize people who have done exceptional work in fields like art, science, sports, social work, medicine, and public service.
What Are the Three Categories?
The awards were started in 1954. They are divided into three levels based on the scale of the achievement:
- Padma Vibhushan: This is the highest of the three. It is given for “exceptional and distinguished service.”
- Padma Bhushan: This is given for “distinguished service of a high order.”
- Padma Shri: This is given for “distinguished service” in any field.
The President of India presents these awards at a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually in March or April.
Highlights of the 2026 Awards
For the year 2026, the government has announced a total of 131 awards.
- Padma Vibhushan: 5 winners
- Padma Bhushan: 13 winners
- Padma Shri: 113 winners
The list includes 19 women and 6 people who are foreigners or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). There are also 16 “Posthumous” awards, which means the person is being honored after their death.
Padma Vibhushan Awardees 2026 (Highest Honor)
This year, 5 people received the highest honor:
- Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol (Art, Maharashtra) – Awarded after death
- Shri K. T. Thomas (Public Affairs, Kerala)
- Ms. N. Rajam (Art, Uttar Pradesh)
- Shri P. Narayanan (Literature and Education, Kerala)
- Shri V. S. Achuthanandhan (Public Affairs, Kerala) – Awarded after death
Padma Bhushan Awardees 2026
This year, 13 people received this award for high-level service in their fields:
- Ms. Alka Yagnik (Art, Maharashtra)
- Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Public Affairs, Uttarakhand)
- Shri Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy (Medicine, Tamil Nadu)
- Shri Mammootty (Art, Kerala)
- Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu (Medicine, USA)
- Shri Piyush Pandey (Art, Maharashtra) – Awarded after death
- Shri S. K. M. Maeilanandhan (Social Work, Tamil Nadu)
- Shri Shatavadhani R. Ganesh (Art, Karnataka)
- Shri Shibu Soren (Public Affairs, Jharkhand) – Awarded after death
- Shri Uday Kotak (Trade and Industry, Maharashtra)
- Shri V. K. Malhotra (Public Affairs, Delhi) – Awarded after death
- Shri Vellappally Natesan (Public Affairs, Kerala)
- Shri Vijay Amritraj (Sports, USA)
Padma Shri Awardees 2026
There are 113 winners in this category. These awards often recognize “unsung heroes”—people who work quietly at the grassroots level to improve society. The winners come from many different backgrounds, including agriculture, archaeology, science, and spiritualism.
Why These Awards Are Important
The Padma Awards are important because they:
- Honor people who usually go unrecognized.
- Inspire young people to work hard for the country.
- Bring the country together by recognizing talent from every state and region.
The 2026 list is special because it highlights a balance between traditional professions and modern achievements, while giving respect to those who have passed away.