131 Padma Awards Announced on Republic Day, 19 Women Among Honourees. Republic Day Celebrations across India.
New Delhi:
Republic Day 2026 celebrations at Kartavya Path here acquired a strong diplomatic sheen with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa attending as Chief Guests.
This marked a rare and significant moment, as the European Union was represented at the highest collective level, reflecting India’s deepening strategic, economic and political engagement with the EU bloc.
Ursula von der Leyen, who heads the EU’s executive arm, plays a key role in shaping policy on trade, climate action and global partnerships, while António Costa, a former Prime Minister of Portugal, now steers consensus among EU member states as President of the European Council.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu formally received the two EU leaders at Kartavya Path with full state honours.
Amid the playing of national anthems and ceremonial salutes, the Indian leadership exchanged warm greetings with the Chief Guests before proceeding to the saluting dais.
The moment symbolised India’s confidence as a global player and its emphasis on multilateralism, democratic values and strategic cooperation, setting the tone for the grand parade that followed, showcasing India’s military strength, cultural diversity and constitutional pride.
India on Sunday announced the Padma Awards for 2026, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, recognising 131 individuals for their distinguished contribution across diverse fields including art, public affairs, medicine, science, literature, sports, social work and industry.
The list, approved by the President of India and released on the eve of Republic Day, includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awardees. The honours will be formally conferred at a ceremonial function at Rashtrapati Bhavan later this year.
Among the recipients are 19 women, six foreign nationals/NRI/OCI awardees, and 16 posthumous honourees, reflecting a wide spectrum of service and excellence.
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan, awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, will be conferred on five eminent personalities. Veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol and former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan will be honoured posthumously. Renowned violinist N Rajam, jurist K T Thomas, and educationist P Narayanan are the other recipients.
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan list features well-known names from public life, arts, sports and industry. Playback singer Alka Yagnik, Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty, former Uttarakhand Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, industrialist Uday Kotak, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, and advertising stalwart Piyush Pandey (posthumous) figure prominently among the 13 awardees.
Padma Shri
The largest category, Padma Shri, honours 113 individuals for distinguished service in their respective fields. The list includes grassroots social workers, folk and classical artists, scientists, educators, sportspersons, doctors and agricultural innovators from across the country.
Notable names include Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, cricketer Rohit Sharma, Ladakh-based medical professional Dr Padma Gurmet, and several unsung contributors who have worked quietly at the community level.
The awards once again underline India’s emphasis on recognising excellence not only in high-profile domains but also in grassroots service and lifelong dedication to society.