New Delhi witnessed a moment of national pride on the eve of Republic Day as the Union Home Ministry announced the recipients of the prestigious Padma Awards for 2026. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations by extending his heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees via a post on X.
In his message, PM Modi highlighted the exceptional contributions of these individuals across diverse fields. ‘Congratulations to all Padma Awardees for their outstanding contributions to our nation. Their talent, dedication, and service in various domains make our society stronger. This honor reflects the spirit of commitment and excellence that will inspire generations,’ he posted.
Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh echoed the sentiment, praising the winners for elevating India’s prestige through their remarkable work in different sectors. His post on X was a tribute to their unwavering dedication.
President Droupadi Murmu approved a total of 131 Padma Awards, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients. Among them are 19 women, 6 from foreign, NRI, PIO, and OCI categories, and 16 posthumous awards.
The Padma Vibhushan list features late Dharmendra Singh Deol, KT Thomas, N Rajam, P Narayanan, and late VS Achyutanandan. Padma Bhushan honorees include Alka Yagnik, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswami, Mammootty, Dr. Nori Dattatreyaudu, Vijay Amritraj, late Piyush Pandey, SKM Mailanandan, Shatavadhani R Ganesh, late former CM Shibu Soren, Uday Kotak, late VK Malhotra, and Vellappally Natesan.
These awards recognize selfless service and excellence, reinforcing India’s commitment to honoring true merit. As the nation gears up for Republic Day, these accolades serve as a beacon of inspiration for every citizen striving for greatness.