The second phase of the Padma Awards 2026 presentation ceremony was held on Tuesday in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious civilian honors upon several distinguished personalities from different fields. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present at the event.
The ceremony recognized the outstanding contributions of individuals in areas such as arts, sports, literature, public service, and cinema. Several renowned figures from the Indian film industry were among those honored this year.
Film Personalities Receive Prestigious Recognition
One of the most notable recipients was actor R. Madhavan, who was awarded the Padma Shri for his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. Known for his successful work in both Hindi and South Indian films, Madhavan has earned widespread acclaim for his versatile performances over the years.
Veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty was honored with the Padma Bhushan, recognizing his decades-long contribution to Indian cinema. The actor remains one of the most respected and influential figures in the Malayalam film industry.
Celebrated playback singer Alka Yagnik also received the Padma Bhushan for her exceptional contribution to Indian music. With a career spanning several decades, she has delivered numerous chart-topping songs and remains one of the most admired voices in Bollywood.
The ceremony also paid tribute to late actor Satish Shah, who was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Indian entertainment and television.
President presents #PadmaAwards2026 at Civil Investiture Ceremony-II at Rashtrapati Bhavan l @rashtrapatibhvn l @PadmaAwards https://t.co/eI0cVQCTnn
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) June 23, 2026
Total of 131 Awardees Honored in 2026
The Padma Awards 2026 recipients were announced by the Government of India on January 26, coinciding with Republic Day celebrations. This year, a total of 131 distinguished personalities were selected for the country's prestigious civilian honors.
The awards were distributed across three categories:
- Padma Vibhushan: 5 recipients
- Padma Bhushan: 13 recipients
- Padma Shri: 113 recipients
Among the 131 awardees, eight individuals from the film industry were recognized for their contribution to Indian cinema and entertainment. The list included one Padma Vibhushan recipient, two Padma Bhushan awardees, and five Padma Shri honorees.
Earlier, during the first phase of the award ceremony, veteran actor Dharmendra was posthumously honored with the Padma Vibhushan, one of India's highest civilian awards.
The Padma Awards continue to celebrate excellence and recognize individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation through their work and achievements.