Padma Awards 2026 announced ahead of Republic Day: 131 honoured across fields
India announced the Padma Awards 2026 on January 25, recognising 131 people across public affairs, arts, medicine, sports, industry and grassroots social work. The honours include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with several posthumous recognitions and multiple awardees from underserved regions.
A Republic Day-eve honours list with 131 names
On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Padma Awards list for 2026 was announced on the eve of India’s Republic Day, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 131 civilian honours across three categories. As in recent years, the list blends nationally known figures with people whose long-term work at the community level has been largely outside the spotlight.
The awards span fields such as arts and culture, public affairs, medicine and healthcare, industry, education, and sports. The 2026 roll includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, and it also carries a notable number of posthumous honours. Several recipients highlighted in initial reporting are described as having worked for decades in education, sanitation, environment, heritage preservation and livelihoods—often in remote districts.
Why the Padmas matter and what happens next
The Padma awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, and they are traditionally announced around Republic Day to mark contributions that have had sustained national impact. While the January announcement is the headline moment, the formal investiture is held later, typically at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the March–April window.
For many awardees, the recognition becomes a catalyst: it can amplify a cause, unlock wider partnerships and funding, or bring national attention to a local model that can be replicated elsewhere. For the public, the list offers a snapshot of what kinds of service and excellence the country is choosing to celebrate in 2026—from high-profile achievement to patient, long-term community work.
Key numbers from the 2026 list
- Total honours approved: 131
- Break-up: 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, 113 Padma Shri
- Announced on: January 25, 2026 (eve of Republic Day)
The 2026 Padma list again mixes widely known names with ‘unsung’ contributors whose impact has been built over decades, often away from media attention.