Discover the full list of Padma Awards 2026 winners announced on Republic Day eve. From Para-athlete Praveen Kumar to veteran actor Dharmendra, check the complete highlights, statistics, and category-wise breakdown here.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Key Highlights of Padma Awards 2026
- Spotlight: Para-Athlete Praveen Kumar’s Triumph
- Padma Vibhushan 2026: The Exceptional Few
- Padma Bhushan 2026: Distinguished Service
- Notable Padma Shri 2026 Winners
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Introduction
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 77th Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the prestigious Padma Awards 2026, honoring 131 unsung heroes and distinguished personalities. One of the most heartwarming announcements is the conferment of the Padma Shri upon young para-athlete Praveen Kumar, whose journey has inspired millions.
From art and public affairs to sports and medicine, this year’s list reflects the diverse tapestry of Indian excellence. Searches for the full list of Padma Awardees have surged as the nation celebrates these extraordinary contributors. In this post, we break down the winners, the statistics, and the stories behind the honors.
Key Highlights of Padma Awards 2026
The President of India has approved the conferment of 131 Padma Awards for the year 2026. This prestigious list includes:
- 5 Padma Vibhushan (Exceptional and distinguished service)
- 13 Padma Bhushan (Distinguished service of high order)
- 113 Padma Shri (Distinguished service in any field)
Quick Stats:
- Women Awardees: 19
- Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI: 6
- Posthumous Awardees: 16
- Duo Cases: 2 (Counted as one award)
Note: The awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually around March/April.
Spotlight: Para-Athlete Praveen Kumar’s Triumph
At just 23 years old, high jumper Praveen Kumar has etched his name in history. Hailing from Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Praveen has been awarded the Padma Shri for his distinguished service in sports.
Why this matters:
- Hat-trick of Honors: This award completes a rare “treble” for Praveen, who has now received the Arjuna Award (2021), the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2025), and now the Padma Shri (2026)—all within five years.
- Paralympic Glory: Praveen won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics and upgraded it to Gold at the Paris Paralympics 2024, clearing a record 2.08m.
His recognition is a massive morale booster for the para-sports community in India, proving that grit and determination are the only qualifiers for success.
Padma Vibhushan 2026: The Exceptional Few
The Padma Vibhushan is India’s second-highest civilian award. The 2026 recipients include legends from cinema and public affairs.
Padma Bhushan 2026: Distinguished Service
This category honors distinguished service of a high order. Notable names include playback singer Alka Yagnik and veteran actor Mammootty.
- Ms. Alka Yagnik (Art, Maharashtra)
- Shri Mammootty (Art, Kerala)
- Shri Uday Kotak (Trade & Industry, Maharashtra)
- Shri Vijay Amritraj (Sports, USA)
- Shri Pyush Pandey (Posthumous – Art, Maharashtra)
- Shri Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Public Affairs, Uttarakhand)
- Shri Shibu Soren (Posthumous – Public Affairs, Jharkhand)
- Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu (Medicine, USA)
- Notable Padma Shri 2026 Winners
The Padma Shri list is extensive, featuring 113 individuals who have made significant contributions at the grassroots level.
Sports Category
Apart from Praveen Kumar, other sporting icons honored include:
- Rohit Sharma: The Indian cricket captain who led the team to World Cup glory.
- Harmanpreet Kaur: Captain of the Indian Women’s Cricket team.
- Savita Punia: Ace Indian hockey goalkeeper.
- Baldev Singh: Veteran sports personality.
Art & Cinema
- Prosenjit Chatterjee: Renowned Bengali actor.
- Satish Shah (Posthumous): Veteran actor known for his comic timing.
Science & Technology
- Prof. Juzer Vasi: IIT Bombay professor, honored for Science and Engineering.
- Prof. V. Kamakoti: Director of IIT Madras.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: How many Padma Awards were announced in 2026?
A: A total of 131 awards were announced, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards.
Q2: Which cricketer won the Padma Shri in 2026?
A: Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma and women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur were both honored with the Padma Shri.
Q3: Who is the youngest recipient in the sports category?
A: Para-high jumper Praveen Kumar (23) is one of the youngest recipients this year.
Q4: Did any actor receive the Padma Vibhushan?
A: Yes, veteran actor Dharmendra was honored with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
Conclusion
The Padma Awards 2026 continue the tradition of honoring the “People’s Padma,” recognizing not just famous faces but also the silent crusaders of change. The inclusion of young champions like Praveen Kumar alongside legends like Dharmendra creates a perfect blend of honoring legacy and inspiring the future.
