Padma awards 2026: Dharmendra posthumously honoured as President Murmu conferred top civilian awards

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously on Bollywood actor Dharmendra, with his wife Hema Malini receiving the honour on his behalf at a Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Their daughter Ahana Deol was seen in the audience and became emotional during the announcement.

Classical violinist N. Rajam was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan for her pioneering work in Indian classical music, particularly for developing the “Gayaki Ang” style that adapts vocal techniques to the violin.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the strength of India lies in such distinguished individuals whose contributions enrich the nation’s collective progress, adding on social media platform X that every Padma awardee has an inspiring life journey. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the recipients and hosted a dinner in their honour, meeting awardees personally.

The Padma Bhushan was conferred on several prominent figures, including former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, polymath Shatavadhani R. Ganesh, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank Uday Kotak, and gastroenterologist Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy. The award was also given posthumously to advertising legend Piyush Pandey and former parliamentarian Vijay Kumar Malhotra, with their families receiving the honours.

For 2026, a total of 131 Padma awards were approved, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri. At Monday’s ceremony, two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan and 58 Padma Shri awards were presented, with the remaining honours to be conferred in a later phase.

Among the Padma Shri recipients were India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee, para athlete Praveen Kumar, and former CRPF Director General K. Vijay Kumar.

Other awardees included folk and classical artists such as folk musician Mir Haji Kasam, devotional singer N. Swaminathan, Rajasthan’s Taga Ram Bhil (known for the algoza), silambam exponent K. Pajanivel, hockey coach Baldev Singh, and embroidery artist Tripti Mukherjee. Social worker Janardan Bapurao Bothe, along with healthcare providers Ramchandra and Suneeta Godbole, were also recognised for rural and tribal welfare work.

The ceremony at the Gantantra Mandap of Rashtrapati Bhavan began with a rendition of “Vande Mataram” followed by the national anthem, “Jana Gana Mana”, and was attended by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah, among other dignitaries.

The Padma Awards, announced annually on Republic Day, recognise distinguished contributions across fields including art, literature, science, medicine, public affairs, sports and civil service.