President Droupadi Murmu presented the 2026 Padma Awards to 66 distinguished recipients on Monday at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi [1].
The investiture ceremony honors individuals for exceptional contributions across various fields, reinforcing the state's tradition of recognizing national achievement and public service.
The event took place at the Ganatantra Mandap, where President Murmu was joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah [1, 2]. The awards include the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, which represent the highest civilian honors in India [2].
Among the high-profile recipients were Mammootty and Alka Yagnik. In a notable moment during the ceremony, Hema Malini received the Padma Vibhushan on behalf of Dharmendra [2]. The award was conferred posthumously to the actor, who died [2].
A total of 66 awards [1] were distributed to honor a diverse range of achievers. The ceremony serves as the official culmination of the annual selection process, bringing together the nation's leadership and its most celebrated citizens in the capital.
“President Droupadi Murmu presented the 2026 Padma Awards to 66 distinguished recipients”
The 2026 Padma Awards continue the Indian government's practice of utilizing high-profile civilian honors to validate cultural and social contributions. By honoring a mix of living legends and posthumous figures, the state maintains a narrative of continuity in Indian excellence across the arts and public service.
