President Droupadi Murmu Confers Padma Awards 2026 on 65 Distinguished Personalities

President Droupadi Murmconferred 65 Padma Awards during the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 

The awardees included prominent personalities such as Alka Yagnik, Vijay Amritraj, Rohit Sharma, Mammootty, R. Madhavan, and Savita Punia. The ceremony formed part of the annual conferment of one of India’s highest civilian honours.

In this second ceremony, the President presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri awards. The Padma Awards for 2026 had been announced earlier on the eve of Republic Day 2026, and the overall list for the year comprised 131 awardees.

Major Highlights of the Ceremony

Among the notable awardees:

Alka Yagnik received the Padma Bhushan for her contribution to Indian music.

Vijay Amritraj was conferred the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to sports and public life.

Rohit Sharma received the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian cricket.

Mammootty received the Padma Bhushan for contribution to cinema.

R. Madhavan was honoured with the Padma Shri.

Savita Punia also received the Padma Shri.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Union Ministers and other dignitaries.

About the Padma Awards

The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours of India.

They are conferred in three categories:

Padma Vibhushan

Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.

Padma Bhushan

Awarded for distinguished service of high order.

Padma Shri

Awarded for distinguished service in any field.

The awards are given in disciplines such as:

Art

Literature and Education

Public Affairs

Science and Engineering

Medicine

Social Work

Sports

Civil Service

Trade and Industry

Additional Key Facts

Padma Awards

Instituted: 1954

Announced on: Republic Day every year

Administered by: Ministry of Home Affairs

Nature: Civilian awards of the Republic of India

Selection Process: Recommendations are considered by the Padma Awards Committee, constituted by the Prime Minister every year, and submitted to the President for approval.

Bharat Ratna

India’s highest civilian award

Followed by:

Bharat Ratna

Padma Vibhushan

Padma Bhushan

Padma Shri

Exam Focus Points (Quick Revision Notes)

Event in News → Second Civil Investiture Ceremony of Padma Awards 2026

President of India → Droupadi Murmu

Number of Awardees in 2nd Ceremony → 65

Award Categories in 2nd Ceremony → 2 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan, 56 Padma Shri

Total Padma Awardees for 2026 → 131

Notable Awardees → Alka Yagnik, Vijay Amritraj, Rohit Sharma, Mammootty

Awards Announced On → Republic Day

Nodal Ministry → Ministry of Home Affairs