President
Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards 2026 on May 25 during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Government of India has announced 131 Padma Awards this year, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours. Among the notable recipients are veteran actor late Dharmendra, Malayalam cinema icon Mammootty and celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik. Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours, recognising exceptional contributions across fields such as arts, literature, sports, medicine, science, social work and public affairs.
About Padma Awards 2026 recipients
For this year, Padma Awards, the late
Dharmendra will be posthumously honoured the Padma Vibhushan award. The late veteran actor has been one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic stars, who left behind an unmatched legacy with classics like
Sholay,
Chupke Chupke and
Phool Aur Patthar. Next, Malayalam cinema legend Mammootty will receive the Padma Bhushan for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. With a career spanning decades, the superstar has delivered acclaimed performances across Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films. He was previously honoured with the Padma Shri in 1998.
Actor R Madhavan will receive the Padma Shri for his contribution to the arts. Fondly called “Maddy” by fans, he is known for films such as
Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein,
3 Idiots and
Rocketry: The Nambi Effect. The actor also won a National Award in 2023 for directing and starring in
Rocketry.Popular actor Satish Shah will be posthumously conferred with the Padma Shri. Known for his impeccable comic timing and memorable performances in both television and films, he became a household name through shows like
Sarabhai vs Sarabhai,
Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi and
FIR. He also featured in hit films including
Main Hoon Na,
Hum Aapke Hain Koun and
Mujhse Shaadi Karoge.
Renowned Indian playback singer
Alka Yagnik will be honored with the Padma Bhushan for her exceptional, decades-long contributions to Indian cinema and music.Celebrated Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee will be honoured with the Padma Shri. One of the biggest names in Bengali cinema, Prosenjit has appeared in more than 350 films over a career spanning five decades. Veteran theatre and film personality Anil Kumar Rastogi will receive the Padma Shri Award. Active in theatre for over six decades, he is known for films like
Ishaqzaade,
Thappad and
Mulk. Apart from acting, Rastogi is also respected for his contributions to science and academia.Veteran actor and director Arvind Vaidya will be honoured with the Padma Shri for his remarkable contribution to Indian theatre and performing arts. With a career spanning more than six decades, he has played significant roles and currently he is playing Hasmukh "Babuji" Shah in Rupali Ganguly's
Anupamaa.
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