As of February 2, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially released the complete list of Padma Awards 2026. President Droupadi Murmu has approved the conferment of 132 Padma Awards this year, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan, and 110 Padma Shri Awards. The list includes 30 women and 8 persons from the category of Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI.
✅ Official Status (Feb 2026): The Gazette Notification has been published. The awards will be conferred by the President of India at a ceremonial function held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April 2026.
Download PDF: Click Here for Official Winner List
Padma Awards 2026: Category-Wise Breakdown
The Padma Awards are one of the highest civilian honours of India, announced annually on the eve of Republic Day. The awards are given in three categories based on the scale of the achievement.
| Category | Criteria for Award | Number of Awardees (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Padma Vibhushan | Exceptional and distinguished service. (2nd Highest Civilian Award). | 05 |
| Padma Bhushan | Distinguished service of a high order. (3rd Highest Civilian Award). | 17 |
| Padma Shri | Distinguished service in any field. (4th Highest Civilian Award). | 110 |
| Total | — | 132 |
Note on Duo Cases: In cases where the award is given to a “Duo” (e.g., Shankar-Jaikishan style), the award is counted as one.
Do Padma Awardees Get Cash Money? (The Protocol Rules)
A common question among the public and government aspirants is regarding the monetary benefit attached to these awards.
The Official Rule: No. The Padma Awards (Vibhushan, Bhushan, or Shri) do NOT carry any cash allowance, monetary grant, or railway/air travel concession in terms of the Central Government statutes.
What Do They Actually Get?
While there is no cash prize, the award brings immense protocol value and prestige.
- The Medallion: A Sanad (Certificate) signed by the President and a Medallion.
- Replica: A small replica of the medallion is provided, which can be worn by the awardee during State functions.
- State Guest Status: Awardees are treated as “State Guests” when traveling within India for official functions.
- Warrant of Precedence: Padma Vibhushan awardees rank high in the Order of Precedence (Rank 7A), above Cabinet Ministers of States.
⚠️ Restriction on Titles: The award does not amount to a “Title” under Article 18 of the Constitution. Awardees cannot use “Padma Shri” or “Padma Bhushan” as a prefix or suffix to their names on letterheads, visiting cards, or books. Misuse can lead to forfeiture of the award.
The “People’s Padma” Initiative 2026
Since 2014, the government has shifted focus to the “People’s Padma” – recognizing Unsung Heroes. These are individuals from grassroots levels who have dedicated their lives to society without seeking fame.
Key Fields in 2026 List:
- Social Work: Tribal welfare, free healthcare, and education for the poor.
- Art: Reviving dying folk art forms and traditional weaving.
- Science & Engineering: Grassroots innovators solving agricultural problems.
- Medicine: Doctors serving in remote tribal belts for decades.
How to Download the Official PDF List
To avoid fake lists circulating on WhatsApp, follow this procedure to get the authentic Gazette Notification.
- Visit Official Site: Go to padmaawards.gov.in or mha.gov.in.
- Look for Notification: Under “What’s New”, find the link “Padma Awards 2026 – Press Release”.
- Verify Date: Ensure the document date is January 25, 2026.
- Search Name: Open the PDF and use “Ctrl+F” to search for your state or a specific person.
Eligibility for Government Servants
Can a serving IAS officer or Railway employee get a Padma Award?
- General Rule: Serving Government servants, including those working with PSUs, are NOT eligible for these awards.
- The Exception: Doctors and Scientists serving in the government can be considered due to the specialized nature of their contribution.
- Post-Retirement: Once a government servant retires, they become eligible like any other citizen.
Selection Process: How Winners are Chosen
The process begins months in advance.
- Nominations (May-Sept): The online portal opens for public nominations. Anyone can nominate anyone (including self-nomination).
- Padma Awards Committee: Constituted by the Prime Minister, this committee screens thousands of applications.
- IB Verification: The antecedents of shortlisted candidates are verified by the Intelligence Bureau.
- PM & President Approval: The final list is signed by the PM and President before release on Republic Day eve.
Common Myths vs Facts
| The Myth | The Fact (Official Rule) |
|---|---|
| “Padma Awardees get free Air India travel.” | False. There is no such rule for Padma Awardees. This facility is for Gallantry Award winners (Param Vir Chakra, etc.). |
| “It includes Bharat Ratna.” | False. Bharat Ratna is the highest award and is often announced separately. It is not part of the Padma series notification. |
| “Posthumous awards are not given.” | False. Highly deserving cases are considered posthumously (after death). |
What is the difference between Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan?
Padma Vibhushan is for “exceptional and distinguished service” (2nd highest), whereas Padma Bhushan is for “distinguished service of a high order” (3rd highest). The hierarchy is Bharat Ratna > Padma Vibhushan > Padma Bhushan > Padma Shri.
Can a foreigner get a Padma Award?
Yes. Foreigners, NRIs, and PIOs are eligible if their contribution has significantly benefited India or humanity. In 2026, 8 such awards were conferred.
When is the award ceremony held?
The names are announced on Jan 25th, but the actual investiture ceremony takes place at Rashtrapati Bhawan, usually in March or April, where the President hands over the medals.
हिंदी सारांश
गृह मंत्रालय ने गणतंत्र दिवस 2026 की पूर्व संध्या पर पद्म पुरस्कारों की घोषणा कर दी है। इस वर्ष कुल 132 हस्तियों को सम्मानित किया गया है, जिसमें 5 पद्म विभूषण, 17 पद्म भूषण और 110 पद्म श्री शामिल हैं। यह पुरस्कार ‘अनसंग हीरोज़’ (गुमनाम नायकों) पर केंद्रित है। ध्यान दें कि इन पुरस्कारों के साथ कोई नकद राशि (Cash Prize) नहीं मिलती है, यह केवल सम्मान और प्रतिष्ठा का प्रतीक है।
