Nation Honours Icons Across Arts, Sports, Literature, Public Service and Industry
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred Padma Awards on 66 distinguished personalities during the first Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, recognising exceptional contributions across fields including arts, literature, sports, public affairs, science, social work and industry.
The prestigious ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and several senior dignitaries. The awards included Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri honours — among the country’s highest civilian recognitions.
This year, the Government of India approved a total of 131 Padma awards, of which 66 were presented during the first phase of the investiture ceremony.
Dharmendra Honoured Posthumously
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when veteran actor Dharmendra was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. Actress and BJP MP Hema Malini received the honour on his behalf.
Veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty was awarded the Padma Bhushan, while playback singer Alka Yagnik, actor R Madhavan and Bengali cinema icon Prosenjit Chatterjee were among those honoured during the ceremony.
The awards ceremony also celebrated achievers from sports, music, literature and public service, reflecting India’s cultural and intellectual diversity.
Recognition Beyond Fame
The Padma Awards this year continued the government’s focus on recognising “unsung heroes” alongside nationally known personalities. Several awardees came from rural India, tribal communities and traditional art backgrounds, representing decades of silent contribution to society.
Among the notable recipients was Rajasthan folk artiste Taga Ram Bheel, known globally for preserving the traditional Algoza musical heritage.
India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur also received the Padma Shri for her contribution to Indian sports and women’s cricket.
Industrialist Uday Kotak, advertising veteran Piyush Pandey and several distinguished scholars, doctors and social reformers were also honoured during the ceremony.
Celebrating Excellence Across India
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards remain among India’s most respected civilian honours, recognising exceptional and distinguished service in various disciplines. The honours are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
Officials stated that the remaining awardees for 2026 would receive their honours during the second phase of the Civil Investiture Ceremony later this year.
Beyond glamour and recognition, the ceremony once again highlighted a larger national message — that contribution to society, culture, knowledge and public life continues to remain one of the highest forms of service to the nation.
And as Rashtrapati Bhavan honoured 66 icons from vastly different walks of life, the evening stood as a reminder of the extraordinary depth of talent, resilience and dedication spread across India.
