President Murmu Honours Padma Awardees in Grand Civil Investiture Ceremony

President Droupadi Murmu conferred the Padma Awards 2026 at the second Civil Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, honouring 65 distinguished personalities for their exceptional contributions across fields such as art, public affairs, sports, literature, medicine, social work, science, trade and industry. The ceremony marked another proud national moment as awardees from different parts of India and abroad were recognised for their service, talent and lifelong dedication. In this round, the President presented 2 Padma Vibhushan, 7 Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri awards, with prominent names including actor Mammootty, playback singer Alka Yagnik, cricketer Rohit Sharma, actor R. Madhavan, tennis legend Vijay Amritraj and political leader Shibu Soren among those honoured. The event was attended by key dignitaries, including the Vice President, Prime Minister and Union Home Minister, adding to the significance of the occasion. The Padma Awards, announced every year on the eve of Republic Day, are among India’s highest civilian honours and recognise outstanding work that has made a meaningful impact on society. This year, the government announced a total of 131 Padma Awards, including 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri awards, with several women awardees and posthumous honours also included. The June 23 ceremony highlighted India’s rich diversity of achievement, from cinema and music to sports, public service, traditional knowledge and social contribution, reminding the nation that excellence is not limited to one profession or region. As the awardees received their honours from the President, the ceremony stood as a celebration of dedication, humility and national service, placing the spotlight on individuals whose work has inspired communities and strengthened India’s cultural and public life.