Padma Awards 2026: As India marked the eve of its 77th Republic Day, the announcement of the Padma Awards 2026 sparked nationwide discussion—not only for the distinguished names honoured, but also for the political and regional patterns behind the selections. Notably, while the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, was not conferred on anyone this year, the spotlight firmly shifted to the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award.
Kerala Emerges as a Major Presence Among Padma Vibhushan Awardees
Significantly, three out of the five Padma Vibhushan awardees hailed from Kerala, a state preparing for crucial assembly elections later this year. This strong representation has naturally drawn attention, especially as awards were also distributed generously across other poll-bound states.
Among the five recipients, veteran actor Dharmendra and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan were honoured posthumously. Importantly, Achuthanandan—one of Kerala’s most influential communist leaders—was known for his firm ideological opposition to the RSS and the BJP. However, this recognition aligns with the Modi government’s broader trend of honouring individuals across ideological divides.
Political Undercurrents and Symbolic Gestures
Meanwhile, Kerala’s political landscape is witnessing a three-cornered contest. While the Left Democratic Front (LDF) faces stiff competition from the Congress-led UDF, the BJP is steadily consolidating itself as a third force. Against this backdrop, awarding the Padma Vibhushan to a senior CPM leader may resonate with voters looking for alternatives beyond traditional binaries.
Additionally, political observers are closely analysing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Kerala, particularly the moment when he waited on stage for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and greeted him respectfully at a public event in Thiruvananthapuram. Such symbolic gestures, although subtle, often carry deeper political messaging.
Kerala’s Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan Awardees
Apart from Achuthanandan, journalist P. Narayanan, former editor of the RSS-affiliated newspaper Janmabhoomi, received the Padma Vibhushan. Likewise, Justice K.T. Thomas, a former Supreme Court judge from Kerala, was honoured for his contributions to judicial accountability. Notably, Justice Thomas served on the bench that sentenced those responsible for Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination.
In addition, Kerala made a strong showing in the Padma Bhushan category. Renowned actor Mammootty and social activist V. Natesan were recognised for their lasting contributions to cinema and social service respectively.
Padma Shri Winners from Kerala
Furthermore, Kerala’s impact extended to the Padma Shri list. The awardees include:
- A.E. Muthunyangam – Science & Engineering
- Dr. Armida Fernandes – Medicine
- K. Vimala Menon – Arts
- K. Devaki Amma – Social Work
Together, these honours underline the state’s diverse contributions across science, healthcare, arts, and community service.
Poll-Bound States Receive Significant Share of Awards
Interestingly, Kerala was not alone. Other election-bound states also featured prominently:
- Tamil Nadu: 13 awardees
- West Bengal: 11 awardees
- Assam: 5 awardees
Meanwhile, Maharashtra topped the list with 15 awards, followed closely by Tamil Nadu. West Bengal tied with Uttar Pradesh for fourth place, while Kerala shared the fifth position with Karnataka.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu: Arts, Education, and Public Service Shine
From West Bengal, eleven individuals received the Padma Shri, spanning literature, education, medicine, and the arts. Among them were Prosenjit Chatterjee, Tarun Bhattacharya, and Tripti Mukherjee, whose work has shaped Bengal’s cultural identity.
Similarly, Tamil Nadu saw two Padma Bhushan and eleven Padma Shri awards. Distinguished names included Dr. Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswami (Medicine), S.K.M. Mailanandan (Social Work), and K. Vijay Kumar (Civil Services), alongside several contributors to science, engineering, and traditional arts.
Assam’s Honourees Reflect Cultural and Public Service Legacy
In Assam, the honours highlighted a blend of culture and public service. Late BJP leader Kabindra Purkayastha was awarded the Padma Shri posthumously. Additionally, artists, agricultural contributors, and social workers such as Haricharan Saikia, Jogesh Deuri, and Nuruddin Ahmed were recognised for preserving regional heritage.
Padma Shri Celebrates India’s Unsung Heroes
Beyond political narratives, the Padma Shri 2026 truly stood out for celebrating unsung heroes—individuals whose quiet dedication has transformed lives at the grassroots.
For instance, Anke Gowda, a former bus conductor from Karnataka, received national recognition for establishing Pustak Mane, believed to be the world’s largest free-access library. With over two million books in 20 languages, his initiative has democratized knowledge for rural communities.
Similarly, Dr. Armida Fernandes, a Mumbai-based paediatrician, was honoured for setting up Asia’s first human milk bank, a milestone that has significantly improved neonatal survival rates.
The list also includes Bhagwandas Raikwar, who has preserved the traditional Bundeli war art, and Bhiklya Ladakya Dhinda, a 90-year-old tribal musician from Maharashtra renowned for keeping the Tarpa music tradition alive.
From Jammu and Kashmir, Brij Lal Bhat earned recognition for decades of grassroots social work, reinforcing the Padma Awards’ focus on community-driven impact.
Conclusion: Beyond Awards, a Reflection of India’s Diversity
Ultimately, the Padma Awards 2026 reflect more than individual achievements. They showcase India’s cultural depth, ideological diversity, and grassroots resilience, while also intersecting with the realities of electoral politics. Whether through celebrated icons or silent changemakers, the honours remind us that national progress is shaped both in the spotlight and far beyond it.
Frequently Asked Questions on Padma Awards 2026
1. Why are the Padma Awards 2026 considered politically and culturally significant this year?
The Padma Awards 2026 stand out because they reflect both India’s cultural diversity and the political timing of honours, especially as several poll-bound states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Assam received a notable share of awards. This convergence has sparked discussions about symbolism, outreach, and national recognition.
2. Why was the Bharat Ratna not awarded in the Padma Awards 2026?
In the Padma Awards 2026, the government chose not to confer the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. While no official reason was stated, such decisions are not unprecedented and often reflect the government’s assessment of exceptional national contributions during that period.
3. Who were the Padma Vibhushan recipients in the Padma Awards 2026?
The Padma Awards 2026 honoured five individuals with the Padma Vibhushan, including actor Dharmendra and former Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, both posthumously. Other recipients included journalist P. Narayanan and former Supreme Court judge Justice K.T. Thomas, highlighting contributions across cinema, politics, journalism, and the judiciary.
4. Why did Kerala receive major attention in the Padma Awards 2026?
Kerala gained national attention in the Padma Awards 2026 because three out of five Padma Vibhushan awardees were from the state. This prominence is particularly noteworthy as Kerala heads into assembly elections, making the honours both culturally and politically significant.
5. How did the Padma Awards 2026 reflect ideological diversity?
The Padma Awards 2026 demonstrated ideological inclusiveness by honouring individuals across political and philosophical lines. For example, V.S. Achuthanandan was a known ideological critic of the BJP, while P. Narayanan had close associations with the RSS, underscoring the awards’ broad national scope.
6. What role did Padma Awards 2026 play in highlighting judicial and institutional contributions?
Through the Padma Awards 2026, Justice K.T. Thomas was recognised for his role in strengthening judicial accountability and for serving on landmark cases, including the Rajiv Gandhi assassination verdict. This highlights the awards’ emphasis on institutional integrity.
7. Who from Kerala received Padma Bhushan in the Padma Awards 2026?
In the Padma Awards 2026, celebrated actor Mammootty and social activist V. Natesan were awarded the Padma Bhushan, acknowledging their enduring influence in cinema and social reform respectively.
8. How were poll-bound states represented in the Padma Awards 2026?
The Padma Awards 2026 saw strong representation from poll-bound states. Tamil Nadu received 13 awards, West Bengal 11, Kerala 8, and Assam 5. Maharashtra topped the list overall, reflecting a wide geographical distribution.
9. Which contributions from West Bengal were recognised in the Padma Awards 2026?
The Padma Awards 2026 honoured eleven individuals from West Bengal, particularly in arts, literature, education, and medicine. Notable names include Prosenjit Chatterjee and Tarun Bhattacharya, reinforcing the state’s cultural legacy.
10. What achievements from Tamil Nadu were honoured in the Padma Awards 2026?
In the Padma Awards 2026, Tamil Nadu received recognition across medicine, social work, civil services, science, and traditional arts. Awardees included doctors, civil servants, and artists whose work has had long-term societal impact.
