Padma Awards 2026 Ceremony On May 25, West Bengal Shines In Padma Shri List

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, will confer the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri Awards for 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on May 25.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had announced a total of 131 Padma awardees earlier this year, comprising five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours. The list includes 19 women awardees, six individuals from foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI categories, and 16 posthumous recognitions, reflecting contributions across diverse fields of public life.

From West Bengal, 11 eminent personalities have been selected for the Padma Shri award this year, recognising their achievements in arts, cinema, music, healthcare, education, literature, environmental conservation, and traditional crafts.

Among the most prominent names is Bengali film icon Prosenjit Chatterjee, widely regarded as a leading figure in Bengali cinema with a career spanning over 400 films. Known for his versatility and sustained contribution to Indian cinema, he has delivered notable performances in films such as Autograph , Jaatishwar , Baishe Srabon , Mayurakshi , and Gumnaami .

The list also includes renowned tabla maestro Kumar Bose, celebrated for his mastery in both accompaniment and solo performances in Hindustani classical music. He has earned widespread acclaim for his tonal richness, rhythmic precision, and deep understanding of classical forms, along with several national honours including the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.

Other awardees from West Bengal include cardiologist Dr Saroj Mandal, Kantha embroidery artisan Tripti Mukherjee, theatre director and actor Hari Madhab Mukhopadhyay, botanist and educationist Prof. Gambhir Singh Yonzone, writer and educationist Ashok Kumar Haldar, Muslin and Jamdani crafts revivalist Jyotish Debnath, chemistry professor Mahendra Nath Roy, Santali writer Rabilal Tudu, and santoor exponent Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya.

The contributions of the awardees span multiple domains. While medical professionals have been recognised for advancing accessible and affordable healthcare, social workers and artisans have been honoured for empowering rural communities and preserving traditional handicrafts. Scholars and scientists have been acknowledged for their research contributions and environmental advocacy, and literary figures for preserving indigenous languages and cultural narratives.

Collectively, the 2026 Padma Shri recipients from West Bengal reflect a broad spectrum of excellence, combining cultural heritage, scientific advancement, and social impact.

The investiture ceremony on May 25 will formally recognise their achievements in the presence of dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan.