Meet the 45 Padma Shri awardees of 2026—unsung heroes recognized for preserving culture, improving healthcare, and serving communities.
New Delhi: On the eve of Republic Day, the Government of India announced the Padma Awards 2026, honouring 45 unsung heroes with the Padma Shri for their valuable work at the grassroots level. These awards recognise contributions in several areas. For instance, they honour achievements in healthcare, education, and art. Additionally, they highlight work in social service, science, and agriculture. Moreover, environmental protection also forms a key focus of these awards.
The list was released on January 25, 2026, and highlights ordinary Indians from remote, tribal, and marginalised communities who have quietly served society for decades. The awards focus on important national themes such as addressing local health issues, preserving indigenous culture, strengthening national unity in border regions, protecting the environment, promoting cleanliness (swachhata), and keeping traditional arts and crafts alive.
Nominations for the Padma Awards were invited from March 15, 2025, to August 15, 2025. The Union Home Ministry has also started sharing short videos that showcase the inspiring work of the award winners.
Key Awardees and Their Contributions
The 45 Padma Shri recipients come from diverse backgrounds, including tribal artists, doctors, scientists, educators, musicians, social workers, and environmentalists. Here is the full list of all the awardees:
- Anke Gowda (Karnataka, Literature and Education): A former bus conductor who started the world’s largest free-access library, Pustak Mane, in Haralahalli village near Mysuru.
- Armida Fernandez (Maharashtra, Medicine): A paediatrician who set up Asia’s first human milk bank, greatly improving newborn healthcare.
- Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda (Maharashtra, Art/Sports): A 90-year-old tribal musician known for preserving the traditional Tarpa instrument made from bottle gourd and bamboo.
- Bhagwandas Raikwar (Madhya Pradesh, Sports): A trainer who promotes the traditional Bundeli war art.
- Brij Lal Bhat (Jammu and Kashmir, Social Work): A respected social worker.
- Budhri Tati (Chhattisgarh, Social Work).
- Charan Hembram (Odisha, Literature and Education).
- Chiranji Lal Yadav (Uttar Pradesh, Art).
- Dharmiklal Chunilal Pandya (Gujarat, Art).
- Gafruddin Mewati Jogi (Rajasthan, Art).
- Hally War (Social Work).
- Inderjit Singh Sidhu (Chandigarh, Social Work).
- K Pajanivel (Art).
- Kailash Chandra Pant (Literature and Education).
- Khem Raj Sundriyal (Literature and Education).
- Kollakkayil Devaki Amma G (Agriculture/Environment).
- Kumarasamy Thangaraj (Telangana, Science).
- Mahendra Kumar Mishra (Literature and Education).
- Mir Hajibhai Kasambhai (Gujarat, Social Work).
- Mohan Nagar (Literature and Education).
- Naresh Chandra Dev Varma (Tripura, Literature and Education).
- Nilesh Vinodchandra Mandlewala (Gujarat, Social Work).
- Nuruddin Ahmed (Assam, Art).
- Othuvar Thiruthani Swaminathan (Tamil Nadu, Art).
- Padma Gurmet (Jammu and Kashmir, Medicine).
- Pokhila Lekthepi (Assam, Social Work).
- Punniamurthy Natesan (Tamil Nadu, Veterinary Science).
- R Krishnan (Tamil Nadu, Art).
- Raghupat Singh (Literature and Education).
- Raghuveer Tukaram Khedkar (Maharashtra, Social Work).
- Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar (Tamil Nadu, Art).
- Rama Reddy Mamidi (Telangana, Art).
- Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole (Maharashtra, Social Work).
- S G Susheelamma (Karnataka, Social Work).
- Sangyusang S Pongener (Nagaland, Social Work).
- Shafi Shauq (Jammu and Kashmir, Literature and Education).
- Shrirang Devaba Lad (Maharashtra, Art).
- Shyam Sundar (Medicine).
- Simanchal Patro (Odisha, Art).
- Suresh Hanagavadi (Indigenous Medicine).
- Taga Ram Bheel (Rajasthan, Art).
- Techi Gubin (Arunachal Pradesh, Social Work).
- Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam (Tamil Nadu, Art).
- Vishwa Bandhu (Art).
- Yumnam Jatra Singh (Manipur, Art).
The Padma Shri Awards 2026 celebrate everyday Indians who have created lasting impact through selfless service at the grassroots level. By honouring contributors from remote and marginalized communities, the awards highlight the importance of culture, compassion, and community-led development in building a stronger and more inclusive India.
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