🗞️ Why in News The Government of India announced 131 Padma Awards 2026 on January 25, 2026 (Republic Day eve) — including Padma Vibhushan posthumously for veteran actor Dharmendra and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, and Padma Bhushan for playback singer Alka Yagnik and actor Mammootty.
What Are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are India’s second-highest civilian honours (after the Bharat Ratna). Instituted in 1954, they recognise distinguished service and exceptional contributions in fields including arts, literature, education, science, sports, medicine, social work, public affairs, industry, civil service, and public service.
Three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan (PV) — Exceptional and distinguished service
- Padma Bhushan (PB) — Distinguished service of a high order
- Padma Shri (PS) — Distinguished service
Padma Awards 2026 — Statistics
Total: 131 Awards
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | 5 |
| Padma Bhushan | 13 |
| Padma Shri | 113 |
| Total | 131 |
Special categories within the total:
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Posthumous awards | 16 |
| Women recipients | 19 |
| Foreign nationals/NRI/PIO/OCI | 6 |
State/UT-wise distribution (top):
| State/UT | Awards |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 15 |
| Tamil Nadu | 13 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 11 |
| West Bengal | 11 |
| Kerala | 8 |
Padma Vibhushan 2026 — All 5 Recipients
| Recipient | Field/Domain | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dharmendra Singh Deol | Arts/Cinema | Rajasthan/Hindi Belt | Posthumous; veteran Bollywood actor; “He-Man of Bollywood”; films: Sholay (1975), Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Chupke Chupke; also served as Member of Parliament (2004–2009, Bikaner) |
| V.S. Achuthanandan | Public Affairs | Kerala | Posthumous; Chief Minister of Kerala 2006–2011; veteran CPM leader; known for Munnar plantation worker protests; founder member of CPI(M) |
Note: Remaining 3 Padma Vibhushan recipients per official gazette — full list in public domain.
Padma Bhushan 2026 — Key Recipients
| Recipient | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mammootty | Arts/Malayalam Cinema | Full name: Mohammed Ali; 3 National Film Awards (Best Actor); Malayalam film icon for 5 decades; films: Mathilukal, Vidheyan, Perumazhakkalam |
| Alka Yagnik | Arts/Playback Singing | One of the most prolific Bollywood playback singers; became most-streamed female artist globally on Spotify (2023); 3 National Film Awards; 7 Filmfare Awards |
| Uday Kotak | Trade and Industry/Banking | Founder and former MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank; one of India’s largest private banks |
Padma Shri 2026 — Key Recipients Across Fields
Sports
| Recipient | Sport | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Cricket | Captain, Indian men’s team (ODI + Test); 5-time IPL champion with Mumbai Indians; 3 ODI double centuries |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | Cricket | Captain, Indian women’s team; first Indian woman to score 200+ in ODIs (213* vs NZ, 2017 CWC) |
| Praveen Kumar | Para-Athletics | Gold medal, 2024 Paris Paralympics, High Jump T64 category; World record holder |
| Savita Punia | Hockey | Indian women’s hockey goalkeeper; captain during 2020 Tokyo Olympics campaign (4th place) |
Arts and Cinema
| Recipient | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| R. Madhavan | Film | 3 Idiots, Rang De Basanti, Rocketry: The Nambi Effect (2022, which he also directed — won National Award) |
Science and Technology
Multiple recipients in space science, traditional medicine, agricultural science recognised in 2026 Padma Shri.
Understanding the Padma Awards Framework
History and Interruptions
Timeline:
- 1954: Padma Awards established along with Bharat Ratna
- 1978–79: Suspended by the Janata Party government (Prime Minister Morarji Desai) — objection to what was seen as politicisation
- 1993–97: Suspended by Congress government (Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao) — reconsidering criteria
- 1998 onwards: Restored and maintained continuously
Maximum annual awards: 120 per year, excluding:
- Posthumous awards (no limit)
- Foreign nationals, NRI, PIO, OCI recipients (no limit from the 120 cap)
Selection Process
Step 1: Recommendations received
- Any citizen or organization can recommend a name through the online nominations portal
- Central Ministries, State Governments, autonomous bodies, and NGOs also nominate
- The portal is open throughout the year
Step 2: Padma Awards Committee
- Constituted each year by the Prime Minister
- Chaired by: Cabinet Secretary
- Includes Secretaries of Home, DARPG, and other relevant Ministries
- Evaluates nominations based on: eminence, contribution’s national/international significance, longevity of service, impact
Step 3: PM’s Office Review
- Committee’s shortlist reviewed by PM’s Office
Step 4: Home Ministry
- Home Minister reviews the final list
Step 5: President
- President of India approves all Padma Awards — announced on Republic Day eve; presented in March/April at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Constitutional Status — Are Padma Awards “Titles”?
Article 18 of the Constitution prohibits the State from conferring titles:
“No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State.”
The Supreme Court has clarified that Padma Awards are NOT “titles” under Article 18 because:
- They are not hereditary distinctions
- They cannot be used as suffixes to legal names in official documents (only honorific, not legal)
- They are awards/decorations recognising contribution — not a rank or position
- They do not confer any privileges, rights, or legal status
Therefore, the constitutional prohibition on titles (which was aimed at preventing aristocracy and feudal hierarchies) does not apply to Padma Awards.
Gender and Representation Analysis
Criticism of Padma Awards (recurring):
- Women remain under-represented (19 out of 131 = ~14.5% in 2026)
- Rural contributors, artisans, and grassroots workers (often the “unsung heroes” category) receive fewer Padma Shris than celebrities
- Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan tend to cluster around political figures, established cinema personalities, and sportspersons — less around scientists, social workers, and educators
Positive trends (recent years):
- Posthumous awards have recognised overlooked freedom fighters and cultural figures
- “Unsung heroes” category promoted by government — tribal artisans, traditional knowledge holders
- Transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals receiving Padma Shri in recent editions
- International recognition: Foreign nationals’ contributions to India (classical music, yoga, Sanskrit scholarship)
Bharat Ratna vs Padma Awards — Hierarchy
| Award | Rank | Constitutional basis | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat Ratna | 1st civilian award | — | Highest; typically for lifetime achievement of rare distinction; maximum 3/year; no field restriction since 2011 (earlier: arts, literature, science, or public service only) |
| Padma Vibhushan | 2nd | — | Exceptional and distinguished service; 2026: 5 awarded |
| Padma Bhushan | 3rd | — | Distinguished service of a high order; 2026: 13 awarded |
| Padma Shri | 4th | — | Distinguished service; 2026: 113 awarded |
Note: Bharat Ratna was awarded to posthumous recipients: Subhas Chandra Bose (1992, withdrawn after controversy), Madan Mohan Malaviya (2014, posthumous), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (2015), and others.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Padma Awards instituted: 1954; Suspended: 1978–79 and 1993–97; PV: exceptional service; PB: distinguished high order; PS: distinguished service; Max/year: 120 (excl. posthumous + foreign); Selection: Padma Awards Committee (Cabinet Secretary) → PM → Home Minister → President; Not “titles” under Article 18 (SC); Padma Vibhushan 2026 posthumous: Dharmendra Singh Deol + V.S. Achuthanandan; Padma Bhushan: Mammootty (Malayalam cinema) + Alka Yagnik (playback singing); Padma Shri: Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur, Praveen Kumar (2024 Paralympics gold, HJ T64).
Mains GS-2: National honours and their democratic purpose; Article 18 — abolition of titles; Padma Awards vs Bharat Ratna — institutional framework; gender and regional representation in national honours; political neutrality in award selection — controversies and reforms.
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Padma Awards 2026 — Numbers:
- Total: 131 | PV: 5 | PB: 13 | PS: 113
- Posthumous: 16 | Women: 19 | Foreign/NRI: 6
- State leaders: Maharashtra 15, Tamil Nadu 13, UP 11, WB 11
Padma Awards — Institutional:
- Instituted: 1954 (with Bharat Ratna)
- Suspensions: 1978–79 (Morarji Desai govt) + 1993–97 (PV Narasimha Rao govt)
- Max per year: 120 (excluding posthumous and foreign nationals)
- Chairman of Selection Committee: Cabinet Secretary
- Final approval: President of India
- Presentation: Rashtrapati Bhavan (typically March-April)
- Not “titles” under Article 18 (Supreme Court ruling)
Notable 2026 Recipients:
- PV Posthumous: Dharmendra Singh Deol (cinema) + V.S. Achuthanandan (Kerala CM, CPM)
- PB: Mammootty (Malayalam cinema, 3 National Awards) + Alka Yagnik (playback; most-streamed female globally 2023 Spotify) + Uday Kotak (Kotak Mahindra Bank)
- PS Sports: Rohit Sharma (cricket, captain) + Harmanpreet Kaur (cricket, captain; 213* first Indian woman 200+ ODI 2017) + Praveen Kumar (2024 Paralympics gold, HJ T64) + Savita Punia (hockey)
- PS Cinema: R. Madhavan (Rocketry: Nambi Effect, 2022)
Award Hierarchy:
- 1st: Bharat Ratna (max 3/year; no field restriction since 2011)
- 2nd: Padma Vibhushan | 3rd: Padma Bhushan | 4th: Padma Shri
Other Relevant Facts:
- Article 18 (Constitution): Prohibits State from conferring titles (except military/academic); Padma = NOT a title per SC
- Bharat Ratna: Also not a “title” — Supreme Court ruling
- Padma Awards portal: Open throughout year for nominations (any citizen can nominate)
- Dharmendra: Sholay (1975), Member of Parliament (Bikaner, 2004–2009), age 89 at death
- V.S. Achuthanandan: Founded CPI(M) 1964; Kerala CM 2006–2011; Munnar plantation workers campaign
- Alka Yagnik: 2023 diagnosed with sudden sensorineural hearing loss — continued to advocate for aural health
- Praveen Kumar: High Jump T64 (amputee category); 2024 Paris Paralympics gold; World record
Sources: Ministry of Home Affairs, PIB, The Hindu