President Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Awards to 65 distinguished personalities during the second civil investiture ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, celebrating excellence across sports, arts, literature, public service and other fields.
The ceremony brought together some of India’s most accomplished figures, who were honoured for their exceptional contributions to society and their respective professions. Among the prominent recipients were singer Alka Yagnik, actors Mammootty and R. Madhavan, along with several renowned sportspersons whose achievements have brought pride to the country.
Cricket captain Rohit Sharma was among the sporting icons honoured during the event. Former Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia also received the prestigious recognition for her contribution to Indian hockey. Their achievements were applauded by fellow awardees, dignitaries and family members present at the ceremony.
The Padma Awards, one of India’s highest civilian honours, are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. The awards recognise distinguished service in various disciplines, including art, social work, science, engineering, medicine, literature, education, sports and public affairs.
The atmosphere at Rashtrapati Bhavan was marked by pride and emotion as awardees walked up to receive their honours from the President. Many recipients were accompanied by family members, making the occasion particularly memorable. Several awardees later expressed gratitude for the recognition and dedicated their awards to supporters, mentors and the communities they serve.
This year’s list reflects India’s diverse talent pool, with honourees representing different regions, professions and generations. From celebrated entertainers and athletes to social workers and innovators, the recipients embody the spirit of dedication and excellence that the Padma Awards seek to acknowledge.
With the conclusion of the second investiture ceremony, the 2026 Padma Awards celebrations have honoured a remarkable group of Indians whose achievements have left a lasting mark on the country and beyond.
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