New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented Padma awards to 66 recipients at the first civil investiture ceremony of 2026, held at Ganatantra Mandap, Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were among those present.
A visibly emotional Hema Malini, MP and wife of the late actor Dharmendra, received the Padma Vibhushan on his behalf. Women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the late advertising legend Piyush Pandey were among the other prominent honourees.
#WATCH | Delhi | President Droupadi Murmu confers Padma Shri on India women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her contributions in the field of Sports (Cricket)
— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2026
(Video source: President of India/Social Media) pic.twitter.com/Rua8xCLznp
For 2026, the President approved 131 Padma awards in total five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri. The remaining recipients will be honoured at a second investiture ceremony to be held later, according to PTI. The awards, announced annually on Republic Day, recognise contributions across art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
#WATCH | Delhi | Padma Vibhushan awarded to legendary veteran actor late Dharmendra by President Droupadi Murmu
— ANI (@ANI) May 25, 2026
BJP MP Hema Malini received the honour awarded to her late husband and legendary actor for his contribution in the field of Arts
(Video source: President of… pic.twitter.com/HglPJJAXRl
Padma Vibhushan
- Late Dharmendra — Actor
- Dr. N. Rajam
Padma Bhushan
- Late Piyush Pandey — Advertising
- Dr. Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy
Padma Shri
- Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, former UGC Chairman — Literature and Education
- K Pajanivel — Traditional Martial Arts
- Satyanarayan Nuwal, Solar Group Chairman — Defence Manufacturing
- Kailash Chandra Pantenior — Journalism
- Praveen Kumar — Paralympic Gold Medallist
- Harmanpreet Kaur — Cricket
- R. Krishnan Kitna (Posthumous)
- Prof. (Dr.) Lars-Christian Koch
- HV Hande
- Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi
- Mir Haji Kasam
- Raghuvir Khedkar
- Prosenjit Chatterjee
- Devaki Amma G
- Ramchandra Godbole & Suneeta Godbole (Duo)
- Techi Gubin
- Ratilal Mohanlal Borisagar
- Kumar Bose
- Janardan Bapurao Bothe
- Swami Brahamdev
- Bishwa Bandhu (Posthumous)
- Bharat Singh Bharti
- Taga Ram Bheel
- Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh
- Bhagat Singh Koshyari
- Uday Sureshkumar Kotak
- Vijay Kumar Malhotra (Posthumous)