President Droupadi Murmu Confers Padma Awards 2026: A Celebration of Indian Excellence

Introduction

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony marked a significant occasion, celebrating individuals who have made outstanding contributions to India. President Droupadi Murmu presided over the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony, honouring distinguished citizens for their exceptional service across various fields. This event highlights India’s highest civilian honours, recognising talent and dedication nationwide.

Second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026

On Tuesday, June 24, 2026, President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented a total of 65 Padma Awards at a grand ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. This significant event was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alongside other esteemed dignitaries. The Second Investiture Ceremony followed the First Civil Investiture Ceremony held on May 26, 2026, which honoured 66 individuals. Together, these ceremonies bestowed recognition upon the distinguished recipients chosen for the year 2026.

Padma Awards 2026: A Comprehensive Overview

The President had announced a total of 131 Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, January 25, 2026. This prestigious list comprised 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours. Notably, the total count includes two duo cases where an award was counted as one. The selection reflected a diverse range of achievements, with 19 women awardees, 16 posthumous honourees, and 6 recipients from the foreigner/NRI/PIO/OCI categories.

Padma Vibhushan 2026: Honoring Exceptional Service

The Second Civil Investiture Ceremony saw the conferment of 2 Padma Vibhushan awards. The list of Padma Vibhushan awardees for 2026 includes:

• Shri Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) for Art (Cinema)
• Shri K T Thomas for Public Affairs (Law)
• Ms. N Rajam for Art (Violinist)
• Shri P Narayanan for Literature and Education
• Shri V S Achuthanandhan (Posthumous) for Public Affairs

These individuals have demonstrated exceptional and distinguished service in their respective fields, earning them India’s second-highest civilian honour.

Padma Bhushan 2026: Recognizing Distinguished Achievements

Seven Padma Bhushan awards were presented at the Second Investiture Ceremony. The distinguished recipients of the Padma Bhushan for 2026 are:

• Ms. Alka Yagnik for Art (Playback Singing)
• Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari for Public Affairs
• Shri Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy for Medicine
• Shri Mammootty for Art (Cinema)
• Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu for Medicine (Oncology)
• Shri Piyush Pandey (Posthumous) for Art (Advertising)
• Shri S K M Maeilanandhan for Social Work
• Shri Shatavadhani R Ganesh for Art
• Shri Shibu Soren (Posthumous) for Public Affairs
• Shri Uday Kotak for Trade and Industry (Banking)
• Shri V K Malhotra (Posthumous) for Public Affairs
• Shri Vellappally Natesan for Public Affairs (Social Leadership)
• Shri Vijay Amritraj for Sports (Tennis)

These awards acknowledge distinguished service of a high order, celebrating contributions that have significantly impacted society.

Notable Padma Shri 2026 Recipients

In addition to the higher honours, 56 Padma Shri awards were conferred at the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony, recognising distinguished service in various fields. Among the notable recipients of the Padma Shri in 2026 are:

• Shri Rohit Sharma for Sports (Cricket)
• Shri R Madhavan for Art (Cinema)
• Shri Satish Shah (Posthumous) for Art (TV)
• Ms. Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar for Sports (Cricket)
• Ms. Savita Punia for Sports (Hockey)
• Shri Anke Gowda M for Agriculture (Organic Farming)
• Ms. Armida Fernandez for Medicine
• Ms. Deepika Reddy for Art (Kuchipudi)
• Ms. Kalamandalam Vimala for Art
• Shri A E Muthunayagam for Science and Engineering
• Shri Shashi Shekhar Vempati for Literature and Education
• Ms. Sivasankari for Literature and Education
• Shri Ashok Khade for Trade and Industry

The Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective domains.

Understanding the Padma Awards Structure

The Padma Awards are India’s highest civilian honours, ranked immediately after the Bharat Ratna. They are presented in three categories, each signifying a different level of recognition for exceptional service:

• Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, this is the second-highest civilian award in India.
• Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of a high order, it stands as the third-highest civilian honour.
• Padma Shri: Recognising distinguished service in any field, it is the fourth-highest civilian award.

These awards are instituted to acknowledge remarkable achievements across a wide spectrum of activities and disciplines.

The Padma Awards System: Administration and Significance

The Padma Awards are administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi and are announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day. The formal presentation of these prestigious honours takes place at Civil Investiture Ceremonies conducted by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is important to note that Padma Awards are not titles under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India and, therefore, cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to a recipient’s name.

Important Information

Conclusion

The Padma Awards 2026 ceremony was a testament to the spirit of excellence and dedication that thrives in India. By honouring individuals across various fields, these awards not only recognise past contributions but also inspire future generations. The diverse array of awardees underscores the nation’s commitment to celebrating achievement and service at the highest level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the highest civilian honour in India?

The Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian honour.

When are the Padma Awards announced annually?

The Padma Awards are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, January 25th.

Who confers the Padma Awards?

The Padma Awards are formally presented by the President of India at Civil Investiture Ceremonies.

How many Padma Awards were announced for 2026?

A total of 131 Padma Awards were announced for 2026.

What is the difference between Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri?

Padma Vibhushan is for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

Can Padma Award recipients use their award title as a prefix to their name?

No, Padma Awards are not titles and cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes to a name.

Where are the Civil Investiture Ceremonies for Padma Awards held?

These ceremonies are held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

How many women awardees were there among the Padma Awards 2026?

There were 19 women awardees for the Padma Awards 2026.

What fields are recognised by the Padma Awards?

The awards recognise contributions in Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science and Engineering, Trade and Industry, Medicine, Literature and Education, Civil Service, and Sports.

How many Padma awards were conferred at the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026?

A total of 65 Padma Awards were conferred at the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026.