Padma Awards 2026: The Government of India has officially announced the recipients of the Padma Awards 2026, one of the country’s highest civilian honours. These prestigious awards recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions across a wide range of fields including art, literature, education, medicine, science, public affairs, social work, sports, and industry.
This year’s list reflects India’s rich diversity, with awardees drawn from multiple states as well as several foreign nationals who have strengthened India’s global cultural and intellectual ties.
Padma Shri 2026 Awardees from West Bengal:
‘Padma Vibhushan’ and ‘Padma Bhushan’ remained out of reach, but 11 people from West Bengal are receiving the ‘Padma Shri’ award.
| Name | Field | Remarks |
| Shri Ashok Kumar Haldar | Literature & Education | Renowned academic and educationist |
| Shri Gambhir Singh Yonjon | Literature & Education | Scholar and literary contributor |
| Shri Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay (Posthumous) | Arts | Celebrated cultural figure |
| Shri Jyotish Debnath | Arts | Folk and performing arts contributor |
| Shri Kumar Bose | Arts | Theatre and cultural arts |
| Shri Mahendra Nath Ray | Literature & Education | Author and education reformer |
| Shri Prasenjit Chatterjee | Arts | Leading Bengali actor |
| Shri Rabi Lal Tudu | Literature & Education | Tribal literature promoter |
| Shri Saroj Mondal | Medicine | Public health and medical service |
| Shri Tarun Bhattacharya | Arts | Santoor maestro |
| Shri Tripti Mukherjee | Arts | Classical vocalist |
Padma Vibhushan 2026: Highest Civilian Honour
A total of five distinguished personalities have been selected for the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award. The honourees include luminaries from the fields of arts, literature, and public affairs.
Notable recipients include:
- Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) – Arts – Maharashtra
- Shri K.T. Thomas – Public Affairs – Kerala
- Mrs. N. Rajam – Arts – Uttar Pradesh
- Shri P. Narayanan – Literature and Education – Kerala
- Shri V.S. Achuthanandan (Posthumous) – Public Affairs – Kerala
Their lifelong dedication and transformative contributions have left a lasting mark on Indian society.
Padma Bhushan 2026: Recognizing National Impact
The Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour, has been awarded to 13 individuals for their outstanding service in diverse sectors.
Some prominent names on this year’s list include:
- Mrs. Alka Yagnik – Arts – Maharashtra
- Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari – Public Affairs – Uttarakhand
- Shri Mammootty – Arts – Kerala
- Dr. Nori Dattatreya – Medicine – United States
- Shri Uday Kotak – Trade and Industry – Maharashtra
- Shri Vijay Amritraj – Sports – United States
The list also includes posthumous awards to Shri Piyush Pandey, Shri Shibu Soren, and Shri V.K. Malhotra, recognizing their enduring legacies.
Padma Shri 2026: Celebrating Grassroots Excellence
The Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, has been conferred upon 113 individuals this year. These awardees represent a powerful mix of grassroots change-makers and nationally celebrated achievers.
Key highlights include:
- Shri A.E. Muthunayagam – Science and Engineering – Kerala
- Shri Ashok Kumar Haldar – Literature and Education – West Bengal
- Dr. Padma Gurmet – Medicine – Ladakh
- Shri Rohit Sharma – Sports – Maharashtra
- Shri Satyanarayan Nuwal – Trade and Industry – Maharashtra
- Shri Vizhinathan Kamakoti – Science and Engineering – Tamil Nadu
The list also honours several posthumous awardees and international contributors from Germany, Russia, Georgia, and the United States, reflecting the global dimension of Indian excellence.
Strong Representation Across States and Sectors
Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam feature prominently among the awardees. The honours span more than 20 professional categories, including:
- Arts and Culture
- Literature and Education
- Medicine
- Science and Engineering
- Social Work
- Public Affairs
- Sports
- Agriculture
- Spirituality
- Archaeology
This wide representation underscores the inclusive nature of the Padma Awards and their role in celebrating service across all sections of society.
About the Padma Awards
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. They are presented by the President of India in a ceremonial function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The awards are classified into three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan – For exceptional and distinguished service
- Padma Bhushan – For distinguished service of a high order
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Padma Shri – For distinguished service
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