Did Dharmendra and Achuthanandan Receive Padma Vibhushan? Harmanpreet and Rohit Sharma Honored with Padma Shri?
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Synopsis
This year’s Republic Day honors saw veteran actor Dharmendra and former Kerala CM V.S. Achuthanandan awarded the prestigious Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Discover the complete list of awardees, including sports icons and cultural legends, and celebrate their contributions to India.
Key Takeaways
- Dharmendra and Achuthanandan received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
- 131 Padma Awards were announced, celebrating achievements across various fields.
- 19 women were among the awardees, showcasing gender diversity.
- Recognition extends to international individuals, enhancing the global reach of the honors.
- The Padma Awards categorize contributions into three levels: Vibhushan, Bhushan, and Shri.
In a remarkable announcement from New Delhi on January 25 (NationPress), the esteemed actor Dharmendra and the influential former Chief Minister of Kerala, V.S. Achuthanandan, have been honored posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan as part of the Republic Day celebrations in 2026. This prestigious recognition also extends to the late JMM founder and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, renowned singer Alka Yagnik, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, and acclaimed Malayalam film star Mammootty, all of whom are recipients of the Padma Bhushan.
President Droupadi Murmu has sanctioned a total of 131 Padma Awards, which includes 2 duo cases (counted as one), as stated in an official announcement.
According to the list unveiled prior to the Republic Day festivities, there are 5 Padma Vibhushans, 13 Padma Bhushans, and 113 Padma Shris.
Notably, 19 of the awardees are women, and the honorees also include six individuals from abroad or those with NRI/PIO/OCI status. Of these, sixteen awards are conferred posthumously.
Other distinguished recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest national accolade, include K.T. Thomas (Public Affairs), classical violin virtuoso N Rajam (Art), and P. Narayanan (Literature and Education).
Among the Padma Bhushan awardees is former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, along with US-based Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu, the late advertising genius Piyush Pandey, businessman Uday Kotak, veteran BJP leader and former MP V.K. Malhotra, and notable Kerala community leader and SNDP Yogam chief Vellappally Natesan.
Recipients of the Padma Shri award include Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar, captain of the Indian women's cricket team, former Indian men's cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, former UGC Chairman and JNU Vice Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, veteran actor Satish Shah (posthumous), women’s hockey star Savita Punia, and Tollywood icon Prosenjit Chatterjee, among others.
The Padma Awards are categorized into three levels: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The awards are presented across various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional service, the Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order, and the Padma Shri for notable service in any field.
Point of View
I believe that recognizing the contributions of individuals like Dharmendra and Achuthanandan is crucial to celebrating our national heritage. The Padma Awards reflect the diverse talents and sacrifices of our citizens, reaffirming our commitment to honor those who have significantly impacted society.
NationPress
25/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Padma Awards?
The Padma Awards are prestigious civilian honors in India, recognizing distinguished service in various fields such as art, social work, public affairs, science, and more.
Who received the Padma Vibhushan this year?
This year, Dharmendra and V.S. Achuthanandan were awarded the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
What is the significance of the Padma Bhushan?
The Padma Bhushan is awarded for distinguished service of high order, making it one of the highest civilian honors in India.
How many awards were given this year?
A total of 131 Padma Awards were conferred, including 5 Padma Vibhushans, 13 Padma Bhushans, and 113 Padma Shris.
Are there any foreign recipients of the Padma Awards?
Yes, this year, six recipients are recognized as foreign individuals, NRIs, PIOs, or OCIs.
