Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat shared a live broadcast on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where the President of India conferred civilian honours on distinguished recipients.

Context

The Civil Investiture Ceremony is the formal occasion at which the President of India presents Padma awards — comprising Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri — to individuals recognised for exceptional contributions across arts, literature, science, social work, and public service. Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official presidential residence in New Delhi, serves as the traditional venue for these ceremonies. The designation 'Ceremony-II' indicates this is the second in a series of phased investiture events held to accommodate the full list of awardees.

Policy Backdrop

Padma Awards have been conferred annually since 1954, with the names of recipients typically announced around Republic Day each year. Because the number of awardees often runs into the dozens, the investiture is conducted across multiple ceremonies held over subsequent months at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This phased approach has been a consistent feature of successive governments and ensures each recipient is honoured with appropriate ceremony. The Prime Minister's attendance at such events is an established protocol that signals the government's formal endorsement of the awards and the contributions they recognise.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary stakeholders are the Padma awardees themselves — public figures, artists, scientists, educators, and social workers whose achievements have been acknowledged by the state. Their families, institutions, and the communities they represent are also directly affected, as the investiture marks the formal conclusion of the recognition process that began with the Republic Day announcement. Shekhawat's decision to share the live stream reflects the government's effort to make the ceremony accessible to a wider public audience beyond those physically present at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

What's Next

Any remaining phases of the current investiture series are expected to follow in the coming weeks, subject to the schedule set by Rashtrapati Bhavan. The next round of Padma Award announcements is anticipated around Republic Day 2027, continuing the decades-long tradition of civilian honours. Observers will watch for the full list of recipients honoured at Ceremony-II to be released through official channels.