Padma Awards 2026 announced: 131 honoured across fields; Dharmendra (posthumous), Rohit Sharma and Uday Kotak among recipients
The Centre announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on 25 January, approving 131 honours across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The list mixes nationally known figures and grassroots contributors, with multiple posthumous recognitions and several awardees from diverse professional and social backgrounds.
India on Sunday (25 January 2026) unveiled the Padma Awards list for 2026, with President Droupadi Murmu approving 131 civilian honours across the three categories—Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The annual list, released on the eve of Republic Day, recognises contributions spanning arts, public affairs, trade and industry, medicine, education, social work, literature and sports.
Who made the headlines
Among the most discussed names this year is veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol, who was selected for the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. The Padma Bhushan list features personalities from entertainment, public life and industry, including singer Alka Yagnik, actor Mammootty and banker Uday Kotak. In sport, India captain Rohit Sharma features in the Padma Shri list, underlining the government’s continued focus on rewarding high-profile sporting excellence alongside grassroots service.
A wider mix: grassroots work and ‘unsung heroes’
Beyond celebrities, the 2026 list also spotlights lesser-known changemakers and community leaders whose work is often local but high impact—ranging from health initiatives and education to environmental conservation and cultural preservation. Reports say the list includes a notable share of awardees from marginalised backgrounds and remote regions, reflecting an attempt to widen the definition of national contribution beyond conventional centres of influence.
What happens next
The Padma Awards are typically conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, usually in March or April. While the list sparks immediate debate and celebration, the awards ceremony later in the year is where recipients formally receive the honour.
With 131 names across sectors and generations, Padma Awards 2026 once again becomes a snapshot of the country’s priorities—balancing mass popular culture, sporting success, public service and quiet, long-term social work under one national honour roll.