NEW DELHI, India — June 21, 2026
Padma Awards 2026 will see 65 distinguished personalities from diverse fields honored at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony, where President Droupadi Murmu will present some of India’s highest civilian awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday evening at the Ganatantra Mandap in the Presidential Estate, will recognize contributions in sports, arts, literature, public affairs, medicine, education, and social service.
Among the notable awardees are Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, legendary playback singer Alka Yagnik, acclaimed actor Mammootty, tennis icon Vijay Amritraj, and the family of the late tribal leader and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren.
President Murmu to Present 65 Padma Awards
According to officials, President Murmu will confer a total of 65 Padma Awards during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony.
The awards include:
- 2 Padma Vibhushan
- 7 Padma Bhushan
- 56 Padma Shri
The ceremony follows the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held on May 25, during which the President presented another 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri honors.
The Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of India’s Republic Day and are considered among the country’s highest civilian recognitions.
Padma Awards 2026: Total Honors Announced This Year
For 2026, the Government of India announced a total of 131 Padma Awards.
The list includes:
- 5 Padma Vibhushan awards
- Multiple Padma Bhushan awards
- Numerous Padma Shri honors across various sectors
Officials noted that two awards are being jointly conferred on four individuals and are counted as two awards for official purposes.
Rohit Sharma to Receive Padma Shri
Former Indian cricket captain and one of the most successful batters in international cricket, Rohit Sharma, will be honored with the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian sports.
The recognition adds another milestone to Sharma’s illustrious cricket career, which includes multiple ICC tournaments, World Cup appearances, and leadership roles for the national team.
Indian hockey star Savita Punia will also receive the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian hockey.
Alka Yagnik, Mammootty and Vijay Amritraj Among Padma Bhushan Recipients
Several prominent figures from the fields of entertainment, sports, and medicine will receive the Padma Bhushan.
The list includes:
- Alka Yagnik
- Mammootty
- Vijay Amritraj
- Dattatreyudu Nori
The awards recognize their distinguished contributions and achievements in their respective fields over several decades.
Family of Late Shibu Soren to Receive Padma Bhushan
The family of the late Shibu Soren will receive the Padma Bhushan posthumously in recognition of his contributions to public life and tribal rights.
Soren played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Jharkhand and was widely regarded as one of the state’s most influential leaders.
Two Eminent Personalities to Receive Padma Vibhushan
Officials said former Supreme Court judge K. T. Thomas will receive the Padma Vibhushan for contributions to public affairs.
Veteran Malayalam journalist P. Narayanan will also be honored with the Padma Vibhushan for his contribution to literature and education.
The Padma Vibhushan is India’s second-highest civilian award and is presented for exceptional and distinguished service.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors and are conferred in three categories:
Padma Vibhushan
Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service of the highest order.
Padma Bhushan
Awarded for distinguished service of a high order.
Padma Shri
Awarded for distinguished service in any field.
The awards recognize achievements across a broad range of disciplines, including:
- Art and Culture
- Literature and Education
- Medicine
- Science and Engineering
- Public Affairs
- Trade and Industry
- Social Work
- Civil Service
- Sports
Celebrating Excellence Across Fields
The Padma Awards continue to celebrate individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on society, culture, science, governance, and sports.
With recipients ranging from athletes and artists to scholars, physicians, and public servants, the 2026 honors reflect India’s commitment to recognizing excellence and service across diverse fields of achievement.
The second Civil Investiture Ceremony is expected to bring together distinguished personalities from across the country as the nation celebrates their contributions to public life and national development.
