New Delhi, Jan 25: The Union Government announced 131 Padma awards on the eve of Republic Day, conferring the nation’s second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan, upon actor Dharmendra and veteran communist leader V.S. Achuthanandan. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated on Sunday that both Dharmendra and the former Kerala Chief Minister are being recognized posthumously for their contributions.
The 2026 honours list includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the other Padma Vibhushan recipients are former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas for his work in public affairs and Hindustani Classical musician N Rajam for her mastery of the violin. Eminent Malayalam journalist P Narayanan was also named for the top honour in the field of literature and education.
The Ministry noted that the selection reflects a broad spectrum of excellence across the country. “Congratulations to all the Padma Awardees for their outstanding contributions to our nation,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement. He mentioned that their dedication across diverse fields continues to enrich the fabric of Indian society and inspire future generations.
The list of Padma Bhushan awardees features several prominent figures, including playback singer Alka Yagnik, actor Mammootty, and banker Uday Kotak. Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari and JMM founder Shibu Soren were also named for the Padma Bhushan. The Ministry confirmed that the awards include 30 women and 16 posthumous recipients, alongside six individuals from the NRI, PIO, and OCI categories.
