Padma Awards 2026 announced: President approves 131 honours across fields

Padma Awards list released on Republic Day eve

The Padma Awards 2026 were announced on Sunday, 25 January 2026, as part of the customary Republic Day eve honours. The government said President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards this year, including two “duo cases” where a pair is counted as a single award.

As per the published details, the list includes awards across the three Padma categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The honours recognise achievements and public service in areas such as art, literature, education, social work, public affairs, sports and industry, and are among India’s highest civilian decorations.

What the numbers show

The Economic Times reported that the 2026 list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. The roster also includes women awardees as well as recipients from the foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI categories, alongside multiple posthumous honours.

Padma awards are announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day and are presented by the President at formal ceremonies, typically held at Rashtrapati Bhavan later in the year. The 2026 list continues the practice of recognising both nationally known figures and lesser-known contributors for sustained work in their communities.

Why it matters

Beyond celebrity recipients, the Padma roster is widely read as a snapshot of the country’s priorities—celebrating innovation, social impact and professional excellence. The 2026 announcements come at a time when cultural, sporting and public-service achievements are being highlighted ahead of Republic Day celebrations across India.