List of Padma Awards 2026: Padma Vibhushan, Bhushan & Padma Shri Awardees

Padma Awards 2026 are among India’s highest civilian honours, recognising outstanding service across fields like art, medicine, science, sports, social work, and public affairs. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the awards on Republic Day, highlighting the nation’s respect for excellence and dedication to society.

The Padma Awards recipient list 2026 includes 131 awardees across Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri categories, including duo and posthumous cases. The awards are conferred by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan, celebrating contributions from India and abroad.

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What are Padma Awards 2026?

The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors. They recognize individuals for distinguished service. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Padma Awards 2026 on Republic Day. For 2026, 131 awards were approved across three categories. These include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.

The Padma Awards were established to honour individuals for their distinguished and exceptional achievements across a wide range of disciplines. These include:

• Art
• Literature and Education
• Sports
• Medicine
• Social Work
• Science and Engineering
• Public Affairs
• Civil Service
• Trade and Industry

Open to all citizens of India regardless of gender, occupation, or status, the awards have evolved into the “People’s Padma” through the Government’s efforts to ensure greater inclusivity and transparency.

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Types of Padma Awards 2026

There are three types of Padma Awards, each reflecting a different level of contribution. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are conferred in three categories:

These awards celebrate achievements that go beyond professional success, seeking to honour individuals who have demonstrated a spirit of selfless service to society.

Republic Day Padma Awards Announcement 2026

The Padma Awards winners 2026 announcement was made on the eve of Republic Day. The President approved 131 honours for the year 2026. These awards include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri winners 2026.

The President approved 131 Padma Awards 2026 total including two duo cases, where one award is shared. This announcement forms the official Padma Awards full list 2026, covering Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri honours announced on Republic Day.

• Padma Vibhushan: 5
• Padma Bhushan: 13
• Padma Shri: 113
• Women Awardees: 19
• Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI: 6
• Posthumous Awardees: 16

Padma Award Nomination Process

The nomination process is open to the public. Self-nominations are also allowed. A Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister, reviews all nominations. This committee includes the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, and other eminent persons. The committee’s recommendations go to the Prime Minister and President for final approval.

Padma Awards Category Wise List 2026

The Padma Awards field wise recipients 2026 include people from arts, social work, medicine, science, public affairs, education, trade, sports and more. This shows Padma Awards name list 2026 from very diverse areas. The Padma Awards category wise list 2026 can be divided into three main groups:

• Padma Vibhushan – Highest among the three padma awards type.
• Padma Bhushan – Recognises high order service.
• Padma Shri – For distinguished service in all fields. 

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Padma Vibhushan Awardees 2026

The Padma Vibhushan awardees 2026 list is available here. They received India’s second-highest civilian honor for their extraordinary contributions.

Padma Bhushan Awardees 2026

Padma Bhushan awardees 2026 list recognizing distinguished service of a high order.

Padma Shri Awardees 2026

The Padma Shri is given for distinguished service. There are 113 Padma Shri awardees 2026. These individuals represent diverse fields. These fields include Art, Social Work, Medicine, Science and Engineering, Literature and Education, and Sports. Notable recipients include Shri A E Muthunayagam (Science and Engineering, Kerala), Ms. Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (Sports, Punjab), and Shri Rohit Sharma (Sports, Maharashtra).

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All 113 Padma Shri Awardees 2026

Below is the Padma Shri awardees 2026 list with fields and states/countries.

Padma Awards Eligibility

Padma Awards eligibility is broad. It covers all persons regardless of race, occupation, position, or sex.

• Government servants, including PSUs, are not eligible.
• Exception: Doctors and scientists working as government servants can receive the award.
• Awards recognize distinction in various activities/disciplines. These include Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science & Engineering, Trade & Industry, Medicine, Literature & Education, Civil Service, Sports, and Others.

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Posthumous Awards

Awards are normally not given posthumously. However, the Government may consider deserving cases. Several Padma awardees 2026 are posthumous recipients.

Higher Award Progression

A person can receive a higher Padma award only after five years from their previous Padma award. The Awards Committee can relax this rule in highly deserving situations.

Padma Award Presentation Ceremony

The President of India presents Republic Day Padma Awards 2026. Ceremonies occur at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually around March/April. Awardees receive a Sanad (certificate) and a medallion. They also get a replica medallion for ceremonial use.

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Padma Awards State Wise Winners 2026

The awards are also Padma Awards state wise winners 2026. Some states with many winners include Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The list shows that people from many parts of the country are recognised for their service.

Why Padma Awards Important?

The Padma Awards are given to people who have shown hard work and service to society. They are a way for the nation to say “thank you” to people who help others, inspire others and make India proud. 

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