President Droupadi Murmu presented the prestigious Padma Awards 2026 at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, honoring 65 distinguished individuals from various fields. Among the recipients were Alka Yagnik, recognized with Padma Bhushan for her significant contributions to Indian music, and Nuruddin Ahmed, awarded Padma Shri for his exceptional sculpting skills.
The 65th Padma Awards also acknowledged personalities like Vijay Amritraj, Mammootty, Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, Rohit Sharma, Dr. Armida Fernandez, and Dr. Suresh Hanagavad for their remarkable achievements in tennis, acting, music, and medicine. Dr. Charan Hembram was lauded for his literary and educational impact, while Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda was honored for preserving the traditional Warli wind instrument, Tarpa.
During the ceremony, 65 Padma Awards were conferred, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri. The awards, announced annually on Republic Day, this year recognized a total of 131 individuals, with a notable representation of women and posthumous honorees. The Padma Awards, established in 1954, aim to acknowledge exceptional contributions across various fields.
