Padma Awards 2026 announced: 131 honours approved across fields, ceremony due later this year
India has announced the Padma Awards 2026 list on the eve of Republic Day, with 131 civilian honours cleared across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The list includes posthumous awards and recognises contributions spanning arts, public affairs, business, sports, medicine and social work, with the investiture expected at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in 2026.
What was announced
On January 25, 2026, the government released the Padma Awards 2026 recipients on the eve of Republic Day, approving a total of 131 awards. The Padma honours are among India’s highest civilian recognitions and are announced annually around Republic Day, with the formal conferment typically held at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the year.
How the list is structured
The 2026 list spans all three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri—covering wide-ranging achievements across public affairs, arts and culture, trade and industry, sports, medicine, literature and education, and social work. Reports note that the roster includes posthumous recognitions, along with recipients from diverse regions and backgrounds.
Notable names highlighted in early reports
Early coverage flagged several prominent awardees from cinema, music, public life and business, alongside many lesser-known contributors whose work has had deep local impact. The announcement, made ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, also renewed attention on the Padma tradition of recognising both nationally known achievers and ‘unsung heroes’ working in communities.
What happens next
The Padma awards are formally conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, generally in March or April. While the announcement sets the list, the investiture ceremony later in 2026 will mark the official presentation, after which recipients are recorded in the year’s honours roll.
The Padma list is announced on Republic Day eve and the honours are conferred later at Rashtrapati Bhavan—bringing public attention to contributions across disciplines, from the arts and public affairs to medicine, sports and social work.