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Padma Awards 2026: 131 Changemakers Honoured
What’s the News?
- The President of India approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.
- The announcement, made on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, continues the government’s focus on the "People’s Padma" by recognizing "unsung heroes" from remote and underserved regions.
- The 2026 list includes 19 women, 16 posthumous awardees, and 6 individuals from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI.
- Notable recipients include legendary actor Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous), cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur, and several grassroots changemakers.
The 2026 Awardee Profile
- Padma Vibhushan (5 Awardees):
- Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Recipients include Dharmendra Singh Deol (Art), K T Thomas (Public Affairs), N Rajam (Art), P Narayanan (Literature and Education), and V S Achuthanandhan (Public Affairs).
- Padma Bhushan (13 Awardees):
- Awarded for distinguished service of high order.
- Key figures include singer Alka Yagnik, actor Mammootty, industrialist Uday Kotak, former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren (Posthumous), and tennis icon Vijay Amritraj.
- Padma Shri (113 Awardees):
- Awarded for distinguished service in any field.
- Recognition was given to sports stars Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Savita Punia, along with actor R. Madhavan and former IPS officer K Vijay Kumar.
"Unsung Heroes" and Diversity
- Grassroots Impact: The 2026 awards recognized individuals from 84 districts across 30 States and UTs, with 10 districts featuring on the list for the first time since Independence.
- Key Unsung Heroes:
- Anke Gowda M. (Karnataka): A former bus conductor who established "Pustak Mane," a free-access library housing over 2 million books.
- Taga Ram Bheel (Rajasthan): Honoured for reviving the Algoza, a rare traditional folk instrument.
- Armida Fernandez (Maharashtra): A neonatologist who established Asia’s first human milk bank.
- Hally War (Meghalaya): Recognized for long-standing contributions to environmental conservation.
- Marginalized Communities: The list significantly features individuals from tribal areas, primitive tribes, and Dalit communities who have dedicated their lives to healthcare, sanitation, and sustainable livelihoods.
Additional Info
- Padma Awards Hierarchy:
- Established in 1954, these are among India’s highest civilian honours, announced annually (except for brief interruptions in 1978, 1979, and 1993–1997).
- Bharat Ratna: The highest civilian award (not awarded in 2026).
- Padma Vibhushan: Second highest.
- Padma Bhushan: Third highest.
- Padma Shri: Fourth highest.
- Constitutional Aspect:
- Under Article 18 of the Constitution, these awards are titles of merit and cannot be used as a prefix or suffix to the recipient’s name.
- Selection Process:
- Nominations are open to the public through the Padma Portal.
- Recommendations are screened by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year and headed by the Cabinet Secretary.