PADMA AWARDS 2026

PADMA AWARDS 2026 

Context

The President of India approved 131 Padma Awards for 2026, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri. The list includes 19 women, 6 Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI awardees, 16 posthumous awardees and 2 duo cases.

India’s Civilian Honour System

The Padma Awards recognise public service and achievement in areas such as art, literature, education, science, medicine, social work, public affairs, civil service, sports, trade and industry.
Evolution and Conferment

         i.            Instituted in 1954, along with the Bharat Ratna.

        ii.            Initially classified as Pahela Varg, Dusra Varg and Tisra Varg.

      iii.            Renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

      iv.            Announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.

       v.            Formally conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan, generally during March–April.

How Recipients Are Selected

Public Nomination → Padma Awards Committee → Prime Minister → President

1. Nominations are open to the public; self-nomination is permitted.
2. Recommendations may also come from States, Union Territories, Central Ministries and institutions.
3. The Padma Awards Committee is constituted annually by the Prime Minister.
4. It is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and includes the Home Secretary, Secretary to the President and eminent persons.
5. Final recommendations are submitted to the Prime Minister and the President.

Constitutional and Administrative Position

1. Padma Awards are decorations, not titles.
2. Under Article 18(1), they cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to a person’s name.
3. The Supreme Court in Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996) upheld their constitutional validity.
4. They carry no cash grant, pension or official travel concession.
5. Recipients receive a Sanad signed by the President and a medallion.
6. The normal annual ceiling is 120 awards, excluding posthumous awards and awards to foreigners, NRIs and OCIs.
7. A higher Padma category is ordinarily considered only after a gap of five years.
8. Posthumous awards may be granted in exceptional cases.

Selected Awardees – 2026

Padma Vibhushan

1. Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) – Art
2. K. T. Thomas – Public Affairs
3. N. Rajam – Art
4. P. Narayanan – Literature and Education
5. V. S. Achuthanandan (Posthumous) – Public Affairs

Padma Bhushan

1. Alka Yagnik – Art
2. Mammootty – Art
3. Dattatreyudu Nori – Medicine
4. Shibu Soren (Posthumous) – Public Affairs
5. Uday Kotak – Trade and Industry
6. Vijay Amritraj – Sports