Padma Awards 2026: Dharmendra Honoured Posthumously, Stars and Unsung Heroes Shine in New List

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India's most prestigious civilian awards, the Padma Awards 2026, were revealed just before Republic Day 2026. These awards recognise 131 individuals who have made outstanding contributions in varied fields such as arts, public service, science, sports, literature, social work and more.

The awards comprise the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. They recognise not only famous personalities but also lesser, known local heroes who have played a significant role in the development of society.

Padma Vibhushan: Distinguished Service of a Very High Order

The Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honour, was conferred on five individuals who left a lasting impact in their fields:

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• Dharmendra Singh Deol (posthumous) - legendary Bollywood actor
• KT Thomas - former Supreme Court judge
• N Rajam - violin maestro and Hindustani classical musician
• P Narayanan - noted writer and educator
• V S Achuthanandan (posthumous) - veteran politician and former Chief Minister of Kerala

Padma Bhushan: Honouring Distinguished Contributions

This year's Padma Bhushan list includes luminaries from diverse disciplines:

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• Alka Yagnik - iconic playback singer
• Mammootty - Malayalam cinema legend
• Vijay Amritraj - tennis star and global sports ambassador
• Uday Kotak - noted banker and business leader
• Bhagat Singh Koshyari - public figure
• Nori Dattatreyudu - oncology specialist

...and several others recognised for service of a high order in music, medicine, literature, social work and public affairs.

Padma Shri: Celebrating Diverse Excellence

The Padma Shri honours this year reflect both national prominence and inspiring grassroots work. Among the awardees are:

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• Rohit Sharma - Indian cricket captain
• Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar - women's cricket icon
• Savita Punia - hockey stalwart
• Anke Gowda M. - built India's largest free public library
• Armida Fernandez - pioneering paediatrician
• Ashok Kumar Singh, Arvind Vaidya and others in art, science and education.

From sports stars to medical innovators and cultural custodians, the Padma Shri category highlights the depth and diversity of Indian talent.

Global and Inclusive Recognition

The 2026 award winners include recipients from Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category and several posthumous honours, thus reaffirming the worldwide spread of Indian excellence as well as the continuous presence of the legacies of those who have passed away.

The Tradition of Padma Awards

The Padma Awards are traditionally announced on the eve of Republic Day and conferred by the President of India in a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan in March/April each year. They recognise not just fame but dedicated service and exceptional achievement across multiple fields that enrich the nation's cultural and intellectual fabric.