Padma Shri awards 2026: Dharmendra, Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet, Mammootty among 131 honoured

The Government of India announced the Padma Awards 2026, honouring 131 individuals for their outstanding contributions across fields such as art, literature, public affairs, sports, medicine, science, social work and more. The list includes five Padma Vibhushan , 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees, reflecting a wide spectrum of talent and service from across the country.

Among the recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honour, are veteran actor Dharmendra and former Kerala chief minister V S Achuthanandan , both being recognised posthumously. The award also went to former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas for public affairs, renowned Hindustani classical violinist N Rajam in the arts category, and eminent Malayalam journalist P Narayanan for literature and education. These honours highlight both the cultural and public service legacy of individuals who shaped their fields over decades.

The Padma Bhushan list features several prominent names, including playback singer Alka Yagnik , former Uttarakhand chief minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari , and acclaimed actor Mammootty . Banker Uday Kotak has been recognised for his contribution to trade and industry, while tennis legend Vijay Amritraj has been honoured for sports. The list also includes ad guru Piyush Pandey, JMM founder Shibu Soren and BJP leader V K Malhotra, all awarded posthumously, along with other distinguished figures whose work impacted the nation in various ways.

The Padma Shri awards cover a wide range of achievers, from celebrated athletes and artists to grassroots workers and cultural preservers. Notable among them are Indian cricket captains Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur , who were recognised for their leadership in winning major ICC titles, and hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia . The list also includes the late actor and comedian Satish Shah, as well as other public figures such as former JNU vice-chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar, former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati, and actors R Madhavan and Prosenjit Chatterjee .

Padma Shri glory for Indian cinema was also a major highlight this year, as the entertainment category honoured both veteran legends and contemporary stars. Tollywood icons Murali Mohan and Rajendra Prasad were recognised for their decades-long contribution to Telugu cinema, while Bollywood and regional film industries saw names like R Madhavan , Prosenjit Chatterjee and the late Satish Shah being celebrated. This recognition underscores a landmark moment for Indian cinema, bridging generations and languages.

The “unsung heroes” category also received special attention this year, with 45 individuals honoured for extraordinary work done quietly across the country. This group includes a former bus conductor who built the world’s largest free-access library, a paediatrician who founded Asia’s first human milk bank, a 90-year-old tribal musician preserving a rare instrument, and educators who worked in Naxal-affected regions. The awardees represent a broad range of fields, including tribal arts, indigenous heritage, language preservation, environmental conservation and social service, often from remote or challenging backgrounds.

The government noted that the list includes 90 women , six persons from the category of foreigners, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) , and 16 posthumous awardees . The Padma Awards ceremony, where the honours will be conferred by the President of India , is scheduled today, serving as a national tribute to exceptional service, creativity and leadership. The 2026 list reflects India’s diversity and spirit of inclusive recognition, celebrating both well-known personalities and ordinary citizens whose work has made a significant impact.