New Delhi, June 23: In a ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday, President Droupadi Murmu presented the Padma Awards for 2026 during the ‘Civilian Honours Ceremony – II’. Various personalities from different fields were honoured with these prestigious awards.
During the event, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Shibu Soren, was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan, which was received by his wife, Rupi Soren. Tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and singer Alka Yagnik were also honoured with the Padma Bhushan.
Additionally, P. Narayanan and retired Justice K.T. Thomas received the Padma Vibhushan for their contributions to literature, education, and public service. Other Padma Bhushan recipients included S.K.M. Mailanandan, Mammootty, Vellapally Natesan, and Dattatreyaudu Nori.
The list of awardees also featured two Americans, one Russian, and one Georgian citizen. President Murmu awarded a total of 65 individuals during the ceremony, which was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, and several dignitaries.
In this second civilian honours ceremony, 65 Padma Awards were presented, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri awards. Earlier, on May 25, President Murmu had awarded 65 Padma Awards in the first civilian honours ceremony, which included two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awards.
The Padma Awards are among the highest civilian honours in the country and are given in three categories: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. These awards recognise exceptional service in various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, business and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service. The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan for high-level distinguished service, and the Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. Announcements for these awards are made annually on Republic Day.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
