Padma Awards 2026 announced ahead of Republic Day; 131 honours approved across categories
India unveiled the Padma Awards 2026 list on the eve of Republic Day, with 131 civilian honours approved by the President. The selection spans arts, public affairs, medicine, sports, industry and social work, and includes women, foreign nationals and posthumous recognitions.
What was announced on 25 January 2026
On Sunday, 25 January 2026, the Padma Awards list for 2026 was announced ahead of Republic Day celebrations. The honours, approved by President Droupadi Murmu, recognise lifetime work and public contribution across a wide set of fields, from arts and culture to social service, medicine, public affairs, sports and business. The announcement, traditionally made on the Republic Day eve, also underlines the government’s messaging around celebrating both nationally known names and lesser-known contributors whose work has impacted communities over decades.
How many awards and what categories
A total of 131 Padma Awards were approved for 2026, including two duo cases that are counted as a single award each. The tally includes 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. Along with well-known public personalities, the list also features recipients from the Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category and multiple posthumous awards, reflecting the practice of acknowledging contributions that may have shaped a field long before mainstream recognition arrived.
Highlights from the 2026 list
Among the prominent recognitions reported this year are veteran actor Dharmendra receiving the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, while Mammootty and Alka Yagnik feature among Padma Bhushan recipients. Coverage also emphasised the presence of ‘unsung heroes’ on the Padma Shri list—people recognised for grassroots work in areas such as healthcare, education, community welfare, environmental conservation and preservation of traditional arts. Such selections often draw attention to local initiatives that operate outside metropolitan visibility but deliver measurable public benefit.
What happens next
As per standard practice, the awards are formally conferred by the President at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan, typically held later in the year. The announcement phase is followed by public scrutiny, celebratory profiles of awardees, and—occasionally—requests for clarifications from ministries on selections, given the high prestige attached to the Padma honours and their role in shaping India’s official narrative of excellence and public service.