Padma Awards 2026 announced: Dharmendra, Rohit Sharma, Uday Kotak among recipients
The Union government has announced the Padma Awards 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, recognising distinguished service across public affairs, arts, industry, medicine, literature, sports and more. The list features 131 awardees across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories, including several posthumous honours and recipients from the NRI/OCI/foreigner category.
What was announced
The Padma Awards 2026 list was released on Sunday, January 25, 2026, as part of Republic Day-eve announcements. The Padma honours are among India’s highest civilian awards and are announced annually, with formal investiture usually held later at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
For 2026, the approved list includes 131 Padma awards in total (including two duo cases counted as one award each). The awards span three categories: Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.
Notable names and the broader significance
The announced recipients include actor Dharmendra (Padma Vibhushan, posthumous), banker Uday Kotak (Padma Bhushan), and sportspersons including Rohit Sharma (Padma Shri). The list also includes recipients across diverse professions and regions, reflecting the government’s attempt to recognise both widely known public figures and less-publicised contributors.
Padma announcements often trigger public debate about representation, selection criteria, and the balance between celebrity recipients and grassroots changemakers. This year’s list again spans mainstream and specialised fields, from culture and public life to science, education and community service.
What happens next
Following the announcement, awardees are expected to receive their honours at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan, typically held in March or April. In the intervening period, full citations and background details about recipients’ work often gain wider attention through profiles and interviews, and institutions linked to awardees may hold celebratory events.
With Republic Day on January 26, the Padma list also becomes part of the broader national narrative around service, excellence and public contribution—often amplifying interest in the individuals and causes recognised by the awards.