This year’s Padma Awards have brought national recognition to a wide group of unsung heroes from across India. Following the spirit of the “People’s Padma”, the awards celebrate ordinary Indians who have made
extraordinary contributions through lifelong service to society.
Notably, several Padma recipients this year are from Tamil Nadu, highlighting the state’s strong presence among those quietly working at the grassroots level.
Celebrating service beyond fame
The awardees come from diverse backgrounds and regions, including remote and difficult terrains. Many belong to marginalised Backward and Dalit communities, primitive tribes and underserved areas. Despite facing personal hardships and tragedies, they have dedicated their lives to serving others.
Their work spans healthcare, education, livelihoods, sanitation, sustainability and social welfare. Many have worked closely with Divyangjan, women, children, Dalits and tribal communities.
Diverse fields of contribution
This year’s Padma recipients include doctors addressing local health challenges such as haemophilia, and a neonatologist who set up India’s first human milk bank. Others have focused on preserving indigenous heritage, promoting national integration in border states, supporting tribal languages and indigenous martial arts, and safeguarding dying arts and traditional weaves.
Several awardees have also worked to protect ecological wealth, promote afforestation and champion cleanliness. Together, they represent everyday Indians quietly serving the nation.
Unsung Padma Awardees 2026
Here is the Padma Awardees list presented clearly in tabular form, strictly based on the information you provided:
No. |
Name |
Field |
State / Region |
1 |
Anke Gowda |
Literature & Education |
Karnataka |
2 |
Armida Fernandez |
Medicine |
Maharashtra |
3 |
Bhagwandas Raikwar |
Sports |
Madhya Pradesh |
4 |
Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda |
Art |
Maharashtra |
5 |
Brij Lal Bhat |
Social Work |
Jammu and Kashmir |
6 |
Budhri Tati |
Social Work |
Chhattisgarh |
7 |
Charan Hembram |
Literature & Education |
Odisha |
8 |
Chiranji Lal Yadav |
Brass Artist |
Uttar Pradesh |
9 |
Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya |
Art |
Gujarat |
10 |
Gafruddin Mewati Jogi |
Art |
Rajasthan |
11 |
Hally War |
Agriculture (Khasi farmer) |
Meghalaya |
12 |
Inderjit Singh Sidhu |
Social Work |
Chandigarh |
13 |
K Pajanivel |
Art |
Puducherry |
14 |
Kailash Chandra Pant |
Literature & Education |
Madhya Pradesh |
15 |
Khem Raj Sundriyal |
Art |
Haryana |
16 |
Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G |
Environment (Afforestation) |
Kerala |
17 |
Kumarasamy Thangaraj |
Indian Genetics |
Hyderabad |
18 |
Mahendra Kumar Mishra |
Literature & Education |
Gujarat |
19 |
Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai |
Art |
Gujarat |
20 |
Mohan Nagar |
Environment |
Madhya Pradesh |
21 |
Naresh Chandra Debbarma |
Literature & Education |
Tripura |
22 |
Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala |
Social Work |
Gujarat |
23 |
Nuruddin Ahmed |
Art |
Assam |
24 |
Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan |
Art |
Tamil Nadu |
25 |
Padma Gurmet |
Medicine |
Ladakh |
26 |
Pokhila Lekthepi |
Art |
Assam |
27 |
Punniamurthy Natesan |
Veterinary Science |
Tamil Nadu |
28 |
R Krishnan |
Art (Painter) |
Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris) |
29 |
Raghupat Singh |
Agriculture |
Uttar Pradesh |
30 |
Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar |
Art |
Maharashtra |
31 |
Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar |
Art |
Tamil Nadu |
32 |
Rama Reddy Mamidi |
Animal Husbandry (Dairy) |
Telangana |
33 |
Ramchandra Godbole |
Medicine |
Chhattisgarh |
34 |
Sunita Godbole |
Medicine |
Chhattisgarh |
35 |
S G Susheelamma |
Social Work |
Karnataka |
36 |
Sangyusang S Pongener |
Art |
Nagaland |
37 |
Shafi Shauq |
Literature & Education |
Kashmir |
38 |
Shrirang Devaba Lad |
Agriculture |
Maharashtra |
39 |
Shyam Sundar |
Medicine |
Uttar Pradesh |
40 |
Simanchal Patro |
Art |
Odisha |
41 |
Suresh Hanagavadi |
Medicine |
Karnataka |
42 |
Taga Ram Bheel |
Art |
Rajasthan |
43 |
Techi Gubin |
Social Work |
Arunachal Pradesh |
44 |
Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam |
Art |
Tamil Nadu |
45 |
Vishwa Bandhu |
Padma Shri |
Bihar |
46 |
Yumnam Jatra Singh |
Art |
Manipur |
