Padma Awards 2026 announced on Republic Day eve; 131 honours approved across categories
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Padma Awards 2026 list on 25 January, with 131 civilian honours approved by President Droupadi Murmu. The awards span arts, public affairs, sports, medicine and industry, with the investiture to take place later this year at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
What was announced
On 25 January 2026 (Republic Day eve), the Union government announced the Padma Awards 2026 list. The Ministry of Home Affairs said President Droupadi Murmu has approved 131 honours across the three Padma categories. The awards recognise contributions across fields such as arts, public affairs, sports, medicine and industry.
As per the announcement, the 2026 list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards. The total also includes a small number of “duo” cases that are counted as a single award. The government highlighted representation across disciplines and geographies, including recipients from diverse backgrounds.
What happens next
The Padma honours are typically conferred by the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan at a formal ceremony later in the year, often around March or April. The timing of the announcement aligns with the customary Republic Day schedule for civilian honours.
With the 2026 list now out, attention will shift to how the citations frame each awardee’s contribution, and to the investiture ceremony where recipients receive their honours. The Padma awards remain among India’s highest civilian recognitions and often trigger fresh public debate about how merit, impact and lifetime contribution are evaluated.