Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday, 25 May 2026 congratulated all recipients of the Padma Bhushan honour, as President Droupadi Murmu conferred the awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi during an investiture ceremony.

Context

Rijiju took to social media to extend his congratulations, writing: 'Congratulations to all the Padma Bhushan awardees honoured by Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Each honour celebrates dedication, excellence and the extraordinary individuals who continue to inspire the nation.' The post was tagged with the official hashtags #PadmaAwards and #PeoplesPadma, reflecting the government's framing of the honours as civilian recognition rooted in public service.

The investiture was presided over by President Murmu, who has served as the first tribal community member to hold the office of President of India since July 2022. Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's official residence and workplace, serves as the traditional venue for all national award ceremonies.

Policy Backdrop

The Padma Awards were instituted by the Government of India in 1954 and are conferred in three tiers: Padma Vibhushan (the second-highest civilian honour), Padma Bhushan (third-highest), and Padma Shri. The awards recognise distinguished contributions across a wide range of fields including arts, sciences, public affairs, literature, sports, and social work.

Recipients are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day, with the formal investiture ceremonies held subsequently at Rashtrapati Bhavan in separate sittings. The process has continued without major structural change since the awards' inception more than seven decades ago, representing one of India's most enduring mechanisms for recognising individual excellence.

Stakeholders and Impact

The Padma Bhushan is among the most coveted civilian distinctions in India, and its recipients span diverse fields, making the investiture ceremony a moment of national significance for civil society. Public endorsements from senior Cabinet ministers such as Rijiju amplify visibility for the awardees and reinforce the state's emphasis on honouring individual achievement.

As Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs and a senior BJP leader from Arunachal Pradesh, Rijiju's congratulatory message carries institutional weight, reflecting the broader government's alignment with the President's conferral of these honours.

What's Next

The government is expected to release the complete list of 2026 Padma awardees across all three categories, with any remaining investiture ceremonies for Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri recipients also to be scheduled at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The annual cycle of Padma Awards continues to serve as a key moment in India's national calendar for celebrating public service and excellence.