New Delhi: The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards 2026, recognizing exceptional contributions from citizens across 84 districts in 30 states and union territories. This year, the awards highlight several “unsung heroes” from remote areas, bringing their talents into the national spotlight. Maharashtra leads the count with 15 recipients, followed by Tamil Nadu (13), West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh (11 each), and Karnataka and Kerala (8 each).
For the first time, 10 districts—Mandya (Karnataka), Betul (Madhya Pradesh), Parbhani (Maharashtra), Bageshwar (Uttarakhand), Rangareddy (Telangana), South Dinajpur (West Bengal), Nuapada (Odisha), Dantewada (Chhattisgarh), Eluru (Andhra Pradesh), and Dig—have produced awardees, marking a historic inclusion in the Padma list post-1947.
Notable Awardees and Contributions
Among the newly recognized figures are Rajasthan’s Taga Ram Bhil, who revived the traditional folk instrument algoza, and Meghalaya environmentalist Hailey War. Former Indian tennis star Vijay Amritraj, residing in the United States, received the Padma Bhushan under the Foreign/NRI/PIO/OCI category.
Other distinguished recipients include former IPS officer K. Vijay Kumar, who played a key role in neutralizing notorious sandalwood smuggler Veerappan; Arvind Fernandes, founder of Asia’s first human milk bank; former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati; and hockey player Savita Punia. Political figures Bhagat Singh Koshyari and the late V.K. Malhotra were also honored.
Recognition Across Fields and Generations
The awards also honored former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and JMM founder Shibu Soren, continuing a tradition of recognizing leaders from diverse political backgrounds. In total, the selection process involved reviewing 39,000 nominations, resulting in 48 awardees aged 80 and above, many hailing from historically marginalized communities.
In arts, Trupti Mukherjee, renowned for Kantha embroidery, credited her parents for nurturing her skills, while silk producer Jogesh Deuri emphasized the recognition of Assam’s Eri Silk on a global platform. Techi Gubin, chairman of the Arunachal Development Council, who received the Padma Shri for social service, highlighted the importance of selfless work for society, stating, “I work not for money but for the happiness of others and will continue serving the community throughout my life.”
This year’s Padma Awards underscore the government’s effort to balance recognition between urban icons and individuals making a tangible difference in India’s far-flung and underserved regions, celebrating dedication, innovation, and social impact.
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