President of India Droupadi Murmu has conferred the Padma Awards 2026 at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognising 66 recipients in the first phase of this year’s civilian honours.
The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian distinctions, are given in three categories, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, to honour excellence in fields such as arts, public affairs, science, education, medicine, sports and social service.
This year’s list features several prominent personalities from cinema, music, sports and public life.
Veteran actor Dharmendra was awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, with his family receiving the honour on his behalf. Former Supreme Court judge K. T. Thomas, classical violinist N. Rajam, writer P. Narayanan and former Kerala Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan were also among the Padma Vibhushan awardees.
In the Padma Bhushan category, singer Alka Yagnik, Malayalam actor Mammootty, and tennis player Vijay Amritraj were among those recognised for their contribution to their respective fields.
Actor R. Madhavan, cricketer Harmanpreet Kaur, and Bengali cinema veteran Prosenjit Chatterjee were among the Padma Shri awardees. Folk music maestro Taga Ram Bheel from Rajasthan also received the honour for his contribution to traditional art.
The ceremony saw President Murmu presenting the awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of senior dignitaries. Officials said the awards reflect India’s effort to recognise both well-known figures and grassroots contributors from across the country.
With 66 awards presented in this phase, the ceremony marked a significant celebration of national achievement and cultural diversity, highlighting contributions that have shaped India’s social and cultural landscape.
Also Read: Iran orders partial restoration of global internet access
