India’s civil honors took center stage on the cusp of Republic Day with the Home Ministry unveiling 131 Padma Awardees for 2026, greenlit by President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the tributes, sharing a poignant message on X.
He wrote, ‘Congratulations to every Padma Awardee for their remarkable contributions to our country. Their expertise, commitment, and selfless service across sectors elevate our society. This distinction captures the essence of resolve and talent that will guide generations ahead.’
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, added his voice on X, bowing to the great souls who have amplified India’s reputation through their field-specific endeavors.
Padma Vibhushan: five luminaries including KT Thomas, N Rajam, P Narayanan, late Dharmendra Singh Deol, and late VS Achyutanandan. The Padma Bhushan roster boasts 13 names: Alka Yagnik, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswami, Mammootty, Dr. Nori Dattatreyaudu, Vijay Amritraj, late Piyush Pandey, SKM Mailanandan, Shatavadhani R Ganesh, late Shibu Soren, Uday Kotak, late VK Malhotra, and Vellappally Natesan.
The selection reflects broad representation—19 women, 6 from NRI/PIO/OCI/foreign categories, 16 posthumous, and 113 Padma Shris—celebrating unsung heroes and icons alike.
In the lead-up to Republic Day parades and festivities, these awards reaffirm India’s ethos of recognizing merit, fostering a culture of inspiration and national unity.