Padma Awards 2026 announced: 131 honours approved, major names from cinema, public life and sport included

The Padma Awards 2026 roster was announced on 25 January 2026, the eve of Republic Day, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 131 awards (including two duo cases counted as one). The honours span five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with 16 recognitions announced posthumously.

Among the prominent entertainment names highlighted in coverage, veteran actor Dharmendra was listed for a posthumous Padma Vibhushan, while Mammootty and singer Alka Yagnik were named among Padma Bhushan recipients. The published list also includes awardees from politics, public affairs, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, and sport.

Officials also underlined the diversity of awardees in this year’s list. As reported, 19 women feature among recipients, and the list includes six foreign nationals as well as NRIs, PIOs and OCIs, reinforcing that the awards are not restricted to India-based citizens and residents.

Sports figures were also referenced among the Padma Shri recipients, reflecting the awards’ wide remit. With Republic Day celebrations immediately following, the announcement has quickly become one of the day’s most discussed national updates, as names from multiple sectors trigger public debate over merit, representation, and how India’s “lifetime contribution” is defined.

The Padma Awards are India’s civilian honours conferred in three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri—covering areas such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. Each year’s list typically triggers renewed attention to lesser-known achievers as well as headline names from popular culture.