Padma Awards 2026: President Murmu honours 65 at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu wrapped up the 2026 Padma Awards cycle on 23 June, personally conferring honours on 65 personalities — from playback legend Alka Yagnik and cricketer Rohit Sharma to a tribal musician preserving the near-extinct Warli Tarpa. Across both ceremonies, 131 awards were given, with 16 conferred posthumously.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu conferred 65 Padma Awards at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 23 June 2026 .
The ceremony included 2 Padma Vibhushan , 7 Padma Bhushan , and 56 Padma Shri awards.
Playback singer Alka Yagnik received the Padma Bhushan ; Rohit Sharma , Mammootty , and Vijay Amritraj were among notable Padma Shri recipients.
The full 2026 cycle totalled 131 Padma Awards — 5 Padma Vibhushan , 13 Padma Bhushan , 113 Padma Shri — with 19 women and 16 posthumous awardees.
Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda was honoured for preserving the Tarpa , a traditional wind instrument of the Warli tribal community.
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 23 June 2026 conferred the Padma Awards 2026 during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, honouring 65 eminent personalities across arts, medicine, literature, public affairs, and more. The ceremony featured two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri awards.
Notable Recipients
Celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik received the Padma Bhushan in recognition of her three-decade-long contribution to Indian music. Legendary Assamese sculptor Nuruddin Ahmed was conferred the Padma Shri for decades of visual storytelling and stage craftsmanship.
Among the other distinguished awardees were tennis icon Vijay Amritraj, veteran actor Mammootty, Carnatic maestro Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, and cricket star Rohit Sharma, reflecting the breadth of fields recognised this year.
Medical and Social Contributions Recognised
Renowned paediatrician and neonatologist Dr Armida Fernandez was conferred the Padma Shri for her transformative work in medicine and public health. Dr Suresh Hanagavad also received the Padma Shri for contributions to medicine.
Dr Charan Hembram was honoured for lasting contributions to literature and education, while Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda received the Padma Shri for a lifetime dedicated to preserving the Tarpa — a traditional tribal wind instrument of the Warli community — underscoring the government's focus on safeguarding India's intangible cultural heritage.
First Ceremony and Full Year Tally
Tuesday's function was the second of two civil investiture ceremonies this year. The first, held on 25 May 2026, saw President Murmu confer 65 Padma Awards comprising two Padma Vibhushans, six Padma Bhushans, and 57 Padma Shris.
Across both ceremonies, the Centre awarded a total of 131 Padma Awards in 2026 — five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. Of the total awardees, 19 are women and 16 were honoured posthumously.
About the Padma Awards
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are India's highest civilian honours, announced every year on the eve of Republic Day to recognise exceptional and distinguished contributions across disciplines. This year's second ceremony brought the 2026 investiture cycle to a close, with the President personally conferring each honour at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
With recipients spanning classical music, tribal heritage, neonatology, cricket, and cinema, the 2026 Padma cycle reflects an unusually wide cross-section of Indian achievement — a pattern that will likely shape nominations in years ahead.
Point of View
The sheer volume risks diluting the honour's exclusivity — a tension the government has never fully resolved. The posthumous count of 16 also raises a recurring question: why does recognition so often arrive too late? As the awards cycle expands, the credibility of the selection process will matter as much as the names on the list.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who received the Padma Bhushan at the second investiture ceremony in 2026?
Playback singer Alka Yagnik was among the recipients of the Padma Bhushan at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony on 23 June 2026, recognised for her three-decade contribution to Indian music. Seven Padma Bhushans were conferred in total at this ceremony.
How many Padma Awards were given in 2026 in total?
A total of 131 Padma Awards were announced for 2026, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. Of these, 19 recipients are women and 16 were honoured posthumously.
Which sports personalities received Padma Awards at the 23 June ceremony?
Cricketer Rohit Sharma and tennis player Vijay Amritraj were among the sports personalities honoured at the second investiture ceremony on 23 June 2026. Both received the Padma Shri.
What is the significance of Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda's Padma Shri?
Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda received the Padma Shri for a lifetime of work preserving the Tarpa, a traditional wind instrument central to the Warli tribal community's cultural identity. The recognition highlights the government's stated commitment to safeguarding India's intangible cultural heritage.
When were the Padma Awards instituted and how are recipients selected?
The Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day to recognise exceptional contributions across disciplines. Recipients are formally conferred the honour by the President at investiture ceremonies held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
