Padma Awards 2026: 131 Awardees Announced | Padma Vibhushan List & Key Facts for Exams

Why in News?

The Government of India has announced 131 Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day 2026. The awards include 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri recipients.

Key Highlights:

Conferred by the President of India.

Total Awards (2026)

• Padma Vibhushan – 5
• Padma Bhushan – 13
• Padma Shri – 113

Padma Vibhushan 2026 Awardees:

• Dharmendra Singh Deol (Posthumous) – Art – Maharashtra
• K T Thomas – Public Affairs – Kerala
• N Rajam – Art – Uttar Pradesh
• P Narayanan – Literature & Education – Kerala
• V S Achuthanandan (Posthumous) – Public Affairs – Kerala

About Padma awards:

• Instituted in 1954
• Among the highest civilian awards in India, after the Bharat Ratna.
• Padma Vibhushan – Exceptional and distinguished service (2nd highest civilian award)
• Padma Bhushan – Distinguished service of a high order (3rd highest)
• Padma Shri – Distinguished service in any field (4th highest)