Padma Awards 2026: Second Civil Investiture Ceremony
Overview
The President of India conferred the second set of 65 Padma Awards, 2026 during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. These awards represent India's highest civilian honours across various fields.
Categories of Padma Awards
The Padma Awards are conferred in three categories:
| Award | Significance | Position in Hierarchy |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | Exceptional and distinguished service | 2nd highest (after Bharat Ratna) |
| Padma Bhushan | Distinguished service of high order | 3rd highest |
| Padma Shri | Distinguished service in any field | 4th highest |
Padma Vibhushan Awardees
- K.T. Thomas – Former Supreme Court judge (Public Affairs)
- P. Narayanan – Eminent Malayalam journalist (Literature and Education)
Padma Bhushan Awardees
- Dattatreyudu Nori – American oncologist
- S.K.M. Maeilanandhan – Industrialist
- Vellappally Natesan – Social worker and educationist
- Shibu Soren – Late Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder (posthumous)
- Vijay Amritraj – Tennis legend
- Mammootty – Actor
- Alka Yagnik – Playback singer
Padma Shri Awardees
Notable Personalities:
- Chandramouli Gaddamanugu – Indian aerospace scientist at DRDL who led the Akash missile system from development to deployment during Operation Sindoor
- Budhri Tati – Social worker focusing on education and women empowerment in Bastar region (previously Naxal-affected Chhattisgarh)
- Guru Sangyusang Pongener – 81-year-old folk artist and cultural guardian from Nagaland
- Vladimir Mestvirishvili – Georgian coach (posthumous) who mentored Indian Olympic wrestling medallists (Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ravi Dahiya)
- Asok Kumar Haldar – Prominent Dalit author
- Rohit Sharma – Cricketer
- Savita Punia – Hockey player
- R. Madhavan – Actor
- Satish Shah – Late actor (posthumous)
Key Facts for UPSC Preparation
Constitutional/Administrative Context:
- Padma Awards are announced on Republic Day every year
- Awards are conferred by the President of India
- Civilian awards are part of India's honours system
- Bharat Ratna remains the highest civilian award
Notable Mentions:
- Operation Sindoor reference highlights defense achievements
- Bastar region's transformation noted through social work recognition
- International recognition (Georgian coach) for sports mentorship
- Dalit literature and culture represented through awardees
Significance for India
- Recognition of Excellence: Awards acknowledge exceptional contributions across fields
- Inspiration: Awardees serve as role models for citizens
- National Integration: Awards span diverse fields from arts to science
- Valuing Diverse Contributions: Includes social work, journalism, sports, entertainment, and public affairs