New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu will present the Padma Awards for 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday, with former Union Minister Shibu Soren, tennis star Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, and singer Alka Yagnik figuring among the 65 awardees. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Union Ministers, and other dignitaries will also attend the ceremony, which will begin at 5 p.m.
During the Second Civil Investiture Ceremony, the President will confer 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushans, seven Padma Bhushans, and 56 Padma Shris. President Murmu had previously conferred 65 Padma Awards—including two Padma Vibhushans, six Padma Bhushans, and 57 Padma Shris—in the First Civil Investiture Ceremony held on May 25.
Highest Civilian Honours: Shibu Soren, Vijay Amritraj, and Alka Yagnik to be Conferred with Padma Bhushan
The Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian honors in the country, are conferred in three categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. The awards are given in various disciplines and fields of activity, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.
The ‘Padma Vibhushan’ is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, the ‘Padma Bhushan’ for distinguished service of a high order, and the ‘Padma Shri’ for distinguished service in any field. The awards are announced on the occasion of Republic Day every year.
While former Union Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) founder Shibu Soren has been selected for a posthumous Padma Bhushan, P. Narayanan and Justice (retd.) K.T. Thomas will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan for Literature and Education, and Public Affairs, respectively. Other Padma Bhushan awardees include Vijay Amritraj, S.K.M. Maeilanandhan, Mammootty, Vellappally Natesan, Dattatreyudu Nori, and Alka Yagnik.
Global Achievements Recognized: US, Russian, and Georgian Citizens Among Padma Winners
The list of awardees includes two Americans, a Russian, and a Georgian citizen. Doctor Dattatreyudu Nori of the US will be awarded the Padma Bhushan in the field of Medicine, while Professor Prateek Sharma will be awarded the Padma Shri for the same field. Meanwhile, Russia’s Liudmila Khokhlova has been picked for the Padma Shri in Literature and Education, whereas Vladimer Mestvirishvili of Georgia will be posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for Sports. Finally, Professor Mahendra Nath Roy from West Bengal has been picked for a Padma Shri in the field of Science and Engineering, a statement said.
