President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards on 66 distinguished individuals during a ceremony on Monday evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi [1].
These honors represent the highest civilian recognition in India, highlighting the state's effort to acknowledge both high-profile cinema legends and unsung heroes who have impacted public life.
The ceremony took place at the Ganatantra Mandap, where the president presented the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards [2]. Among the recipients were cinema figures Ajith Kumar, Nandamuri Balakrishna, and Shekhar Kapur [3]. The arts and music sectors were also heavily represented, with honors going to singer Arijit Singh, Jaspinder Narula, and Mamata Shankar [3].
In a notable moment of the event, Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously on behalf of Dharmendra [1]. This honor recognizes the late actor's enduring legacy in Indian cinema.
While 66 individuals were honored at this specific ceremony [1], the total number of Padma Awards approved for 2026 is 131 [4]. This total includes five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards [4].
The awards are designed to honor individuals for their distinguished contributions to the fields of arts, cinema, music, and other areas of public service [2, 5]. The event served as a formal gathering of India's cultural and intellectual elite to recognize lifelong achievements that have shaped the national identity.
“President Droupadi Murmu conferred Padma Awards on 66 distinguished individuals”
The 2026 Padma Awards emphasize a balanced recognition of mainstream cultural icons and niche contributors. By awarding 131 individuals across three tiers, the Indian government continues to use these honors to validate diverse contributions to the arts and public service, reinforcing the cultural prestige associated with the Rashtrapati Bhavan ceremonies.
