Padma Awards 2026 announced: 131 honoured across Padma Vibhushan, Bhushan and Shri
The Padma Awards 2026 list has been announced ahead of Republic Day, with 131 recipients approved across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The honours span arts, public affairs, medicine, sports, industry and social work, and include posthumous recognitions and awardees from across India and abroad.
A Republic Day-eve honours list with 131 names
The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 131 civilian honours across the three Padma categories. The list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with two duo cases counted as a single award each. The honours are typically conferred at Rashtrapati Bhavan in ceremonies usually held in March or April.
Who is being recognised
The 2026 list brings together awardees from a wide range of sectors—arts and culture, public affairs, medicine, sports and industry—alongside individuals known for long-standing grassroots work. Several honours are posthumous, reflecting lifetime contributions across disciplines. The awards also include recipients from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category.
Why the Padma Awards matter
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and are announced annually to recognise distinguished service and exceptional contributions to national life. The 2026 list continues the broad, multi-sector approach, spotlighting both high-profile achievers and sustained work carried out away from the national limelight.
What happens next
Following the announcement, the awards are expected to be presented by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the year. In past years, investiture ceremonies have typically taken place in the March–April window, though the schedule is notified closer to the event.