New Delhi, Jan 25: India’s sporting icons and film personalities featured prominently in the Padma awards announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs for 2026. Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, and veteran hockey player Savita Punia have been conferred with the Padma Shri for their services to Indian sports.
The announcement also included major honours for the world of tennis and cinema. Legend Vijay Amritraj was named for the Padma Bhushan, while actors R Madhavan and Prosenjit Chatterjee were awarded the Padma Shri. The Ministry noted that comedian and actor Satish Shah has been posthumously awarded the Padma Shri.
In the field of public service and administration, the Padma Bhushan was awarded to BJP leader VK Malhotra and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari. Additionally, the government recognized intellectual and media contributions by naming former JNU Vice-Chancellor M Jagadesh Kumar and former Prasar Bharti CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati as Padma Shri recipients.
The Prime Minister mentioned that these honours celebrate a spirit of commitment that spans various professional landscapes. “Their excellence, dedication and service across diverse fields enrich the fabric of our society,” he said. The Ministry mentioned that the total count of 131 awards includes two “duo” cases, where the contribution of two individuals is counted as a single award.
