Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Dharmendra headline Padma Awards 2026

The Padma Awards 2026, announced on the eve of Republic Day, brought a strong spotlight on Indian sports, arts, public service and institution-builders, with 131 awards approved by President Droupadi Murmu.

This year’s list includes 19 women awardees, six foreign or NRI recipients and 16 posthumous honours. With representation across cricket, tennis, hockey, cinema, music, governance and academia, the Padma Awards 2026 reflected India’s evolving definition of national service — one that spans generations, disciplines and public life.

Sports

Rohit Sharma (Cricketer, former India men’s captain): Padma Shri

Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar (Cricketer, India women’s captain): Padma Shri

Praveen Kumar (Para-athlete): Padma Shri

Vijay Amritraj (Tennis player, sports administrator): Padma Bhushan

Savita Punia (Hockey player, goalkeeper – India women’s team): Padma Shri

Baldev Singh (Sportsperson): Padma Shri

Bhagwandas Raikwar (Sportsperson): Padma Shri

K. Pajanivel (Sportsperson): Padma Shri

Arts, Cinema & Music

Dharmendra (Actor): Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous)

Mammootty (Actor): Padma Bhushan

Satish Shah (Actor): Padma Shri (Posthumous)

Prosenjit Chatterjee (Actor): Padma Shri

Alka Yagnik (Singer): Padma Bhushan

N. Rajam (Classical violinist): Padma Vibhushan

Piyush Pandey (Advertising professional): Padma Bhushan (Posthumous)

Public Affairs, Politics & Civil Service

V. S. Achuthanandan (Politician, former Kerala CM): Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous)

Shibu Soren (Politician, JMM founder, former Jharkhand CM): Padma Bhushan (Posthumous)

Bhagat Singh Koshyari (Politician, former CM & Governor): Padma Bhushan

V. K. Malhotra (Politician, former MP): Padma Bhushan

K. T. Thomas (Public affairs, former Supreme Court judge): Padma Vibhushan

Vellappally Natesan (Community leader, SNDP Yogam): Padma Bhushan

Education, Literature & Science

Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (Academic, former UGC Chairman & JNU VC): Padma Shri

P. Narayanan (Literature & Education): Padma Vibhushan

Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu (Scientist): Padma Bhushan

Trade & Industry

Uday Kotak (Banker, industrialist): Padma Bhushan

(with inputs from syndicated feed)