President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Awards 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony.
A total of 65 awards were presented, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri honours.
Among the recipients were tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, playback singer Alka Yagnik, cricketer Rohit Sharma, and actor R. Madhavan. The awards recognised contributions across diverse fields such as art, literature, sports, medicine, social work, and public affairs.
Padma Shri awardee Dr Padma Gurmet, Director of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa, expressed joy at receiving recognition for preserving and promoting the Himalayan medical tradition. He described the honour as a milestone for the Sowa-Rigpa community in Ladakh.
The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, remain among India’s highest civilian honours. They celebrate individuals whose distinguished service and achievements have significantly impacted society.
The first Civil Investiture Ceremony was held on May 26, 2026, during which 66 Padma Awards were conferred. Together, the two ceremonies honoured 131 personalities this year.
