New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday conferred the prestigious Padma Awards 2026 during the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honouring 65 eminent personalities from diverse fields including arts, public affairs, medicine, literature and others.
Noted playback singer Alka Yagnik was awarded the Padma Bhushan for her three-decade-long contribution to Indian music, while veteran Assamese sculptor Nuruddin Ahmed received the Padma Shri for his decades of visual storytelling and exceptional stage craftsmanship.
Among other distinguished awardees were tennis player Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, Carnatic maestro Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, and cricketer Rohit Sharma.
Dr Armida Fernandez, a renowned paediatrician and neonatologist, was conferred the Padma Shri for her significant contributions to medicine and public health. Dr Suresh Hanagavad also received the Padma Shri for her work in the field of medicine.
Dr Charan Hembram was honoured with the Padma Shri for his lifelong contributions to literature and education, while Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda received the award for his dedication to preserving Tarpa, a traditional tribal wind instrument of the Warli community.
The second civil investiture ceremony saw the President confer 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri honours.
Earlier, in the first civil investiture ceremony held on May 25, President Murmu had conferred 65 Padma Awards, comprising two Padma Vibhushan, six Padma Bhushan, and 57 Padma Shri awards.
The awards are announced annually on Republic Day. This year, the Centre announced a total of 131 Padma Awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours. Among the awardees, 19 are women, while 16 were conferred posthumously.
Instituted in 1954, the Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honours and are announced every year on the eve of Republic Day to recognise citizens for exceptional and distinguished contributions in their respective fields.
With IANS inputs