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The Padma Awards 2026 remind us of those who have helped to build up their unique contributions to India’s cultural and sporting life for so long and so effectively. The Padma Awards 2026 are about celebrating excellence over a lifetime, at home and abroad, whether it be through cinematic performances, stage performances, athletic performances and so on.
The Padma Awards 2026 highlight excellence that has influenced India’s cultural identity & sporting achievements.
The list for this year features both cinematic and music superstars and various sports icons who achieved great success as individuals but represented India internationally as well. These awards recognise both long-term artistic achievements and contemporary leadership in sport, each leaving a lasting imprint on its respective fields.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that the 2026 Padma Award honourees represent many decades of achievement; they continue to create history through the expression of their creativity and leadership and they symbolize India’s continuing evolution as a culture and a nation globally. These awards recognise both long-term artistic achievements and current sports leaders, each having a tremendous impact on the industry.
Padma Bhushan: Icons of Art, Culture and Sport
• Mammootty – The Malayalam cinema stalwart has had an enormous impact on Indian cinema over his 40+ years in the industry and has made Indian cinema much more performance-based. He helped in creating a more global perspective when developing the regional film industry through innovative storytelling techniques.
• Alka Yagnik – She is one of the most recognisable voices in Indian music, and has enjoyed an incredible career as a playback singer. She represents a vocal signature that defines Bollywood music of the last five decades for every generation of fans.
• Vijay Amritraj – Tennis legend, served as an international ambassador of Indian sport and was recently recognised for the positive impacts he has had off the tennis court. In addition to representing Indian tennis on a global stage, Amritraj has also been involved with administrative and athlete representation on a regional basis, hence placing Indian Tennis firmly within the global sports community.
Padma Shri Award: Achievement in Film and Sports
R. Madhavan – A multi-faceted film acting and writing professional spanning many regional languages who has connected audiences through exemplary achievements in filmmaking in both mainstream and independent filmmaking. His career reflects a balance of commercial success and thoughtful, socially relevant storytelling.
Rohit Sharma – Indian National Cricket Team captain, awarded for outstanding performance in leadership and contribution to Indian Sport (Cricket). Under his captaincy, Indian cricket has witnessed stability, strategic growth and landmark achievements on the world stage.
Harmanpreet Kaur – Indian Women’s National Cricket Team captain, awarded for helping to enhance the presence and performance of women’s cricket in India and internationally. Her leadership and fearless batting have played a key role in changing the perception and reach of women’s cricket in the country.
Prosenjit Chatterjee – A leading actor in India’s Bengali film industry and on the Hindi OTT platform, awarded for his long history of contributing to the development and culture of Indian Cinema for over a quarter of a century. His ability to evolve with changing storytelling formats has kept his work relevant across generations.
Satish Shah – A well-established actor with a long career in theatre, television, and films, will receive recognition for his memorable works over the last 50 years. His performances, often understated yet impactful, have become an integral part of India’s popular culture.
Rajendra Prasad – A well-known actor in Telugu films and a long-time contributor to regional cinema, awarded for his career accomplishments as an actor and director. His work has consistently celebrated the cultural richness of Telugu storytelling.
Savita Punia – Indian Women’s National Hockey Team goalkeeper and captain, awarded for her outstanding contributions to the growth of field hockey for women in India and internationally. Her resilience and leadership have been central to India’s resurgence in global women’s hockey.
Praveen Kumar – Paralympic Gold Medalist 2021, awarded for excellence and inspiration in Para Sports and for his long-service to Indian Para Sports. His journey continues to inspire conversations around inclusivity, determination and sporting excellence.
A Celebration of Legacy and Leadership
The Padma Awards 2026 underscore the compelling lesson that outstanding work isn’t confined to just one field or era. This year’s awardees exemplify excellence from all across India; record-setting performances, enduring effort and a commitment to purpose. Their legacies extend beyond plaques and medals, offering examples of integrity, resilience and sustained impact.
The Padma Awards 2026 should inspire everyone to create excellence wherever they find themselves.
This article was originally
published by the 
