The Ministry of Home Affairs unveiled the Padma Awards 2026 on January 25, 2026—right before Republic Day celebrations kicked off today. These civilian accolades honour 131 remarkable individuals for their standout work in fields from cricket pitches to medical labs. The tally: 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri (including 2 duos). Standouts include 19 women, 16 posthumous tributes, and 6 for global Indians.
From Delhi’s vantage point on this festive morning, these awards feel especially close—celebrating heroes who shape our nation’s story. Search trends like “Padma Awards 2026 full list” and “Rohit Sharma Padma Award” are spiking, reflecting the buzz.
Understanding the Padma Awards
Second only to the Bharat Ratna, these awards mark profound impact:
- Padma Vibhushan: Peak recognition for extraordinary service.
- Padma Bhushan: For top-tier distinguished efforts.
- Padma Shri: Honouring notable contributions anywhere.
The President bestows them in a Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremony, often in March.
Top Moments from Padma Awards 2026
A mix of legends and quiet changemakers, with sports and cinema stealing the show.
- Posthumous Nods (16): Actor Dharmendra earns Padma Vibhushan in Art; Jharkhand’s Shibu Soren gets Padma Bhushan in Public Affairs.
- Sports Heroes: Rohit Sharma (Padma Shri, Cricket), Vijay Amritraj (Padma Bhushan, Tennis), Harmanpreet Kaur (Padma Shri, Cricket), Savita Punia (Padma Shri, Hockey).
- Arts Icons: Alka Yagnik (Padma Bhushan), Mammootty (Padma Bhushan), N Rajam (Padma Vibhushan, Violin).
- Key Others: Uday Kotak (Padma Bhushan, Banking), Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu (Padma Bhushan, Oncology), P Narayanan (Padma Vibhushan, Literature).
Padma Vibhushan Winners (5 Total)
Elite honours for lifetime excellence:
- Dharmendra (Posthumous) – Art
- N Rajam – Art
- P Narayanan – Literature & Education
- K T Thomas – Public Affairs
- V S Achuthanandan (Posthumous) – Public Affairs
Spotlight on Padma Bhushan (13 Total)
High-calibre service in focus:
- Alka Yagnik – Art
- Mammootty – Art
- Vijay Amritraj – Sports
- Shibu Soren (Posthumous) – Public Affairs
- Uday Kotak – Trade & Industry
- Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu – Medicine
- Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy – Medicine
Sports Winners at a Glance
Athletes dominate—here’s a quick table:
| Recipient | Sport | Award | Standout Feat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Cricket | Padma Shri | T20 World Cup captain, unbeaten streak |
| Vijay Amritraj | Tennis | Padma Bhushan | Davis Cup hero, global ambassador |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Cricket | Padma Shri | Women’s team leader, power-hitter |
| Savita Punia | Hockey | Padma Shri | Olympic penalty-save queen |
Inclusion and Everyday Value
- Women Power: 19 awardees, from singers to athletes.
- Worldwide Links: 6 for NRIs and beyond.
- Real Impact: Boosts sports training access, spotlights cancer care advances, and fuels community drives—practical wins for all Indians.
Full details at padmaawards.gov.in.
These awards, fresh on Republic Day, fuel pride and progress
