VS Achuthanandan and Dharmendra Among Five Padma Vibhushan Awardees in 2026
In a significant announcement on Republic Day 2026, the President of India has approved 131 Padma awards, with five individuals receiving the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian honour. Among the top awardees are former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) stalwart V S Achuthanandan and veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol, both honoured posthumously. This move underscores the government's recognition of contributions across diverse fields, including politics, arts, and public service.
Political Significance of the Awards
The awards for VS Achuthanandan and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who received the Padma Bhushan posthumously, signal a notable acknowledgement of the roles played by Opposition leaders. This follows a trend seen in recent years, such as the conferment of Padma awards on veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and CPM veteran Buddhadeb Bhattacharya in 2022, though Bhattacharya declined the honour. In 2023, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav was also honoured posthumously, highlighting a cross-ideology approach in the awards.
Details of the Padma Vibhushan Awardees
The five Padma Vibhushan awardees include:
- V S Achuthanandan: A key figure in Kerala politics and former Chief Minister, recognised for his lifelong dedication to public service and leftist ideologies.
- Dharmendra Singh Deol: A legendary actor in Indian cinema, celebrated for his impactful career spanning decades.
- Justice K T Thomas: Former Supreme Court judge known for landmark judgments on free speech and judicial accountability, with post-retirement contributions to legal reforms.
- N Rajam: Renowned Hindustani classical violinist, honoured for her artistic excellence and cultural contributions.
- P Narayanan: Malayalam journalist and former chief editor of Janmabhoomi, associated with RSS and social movements in Kerala.
Notably, three of the Padma Vibhushan awardees hail from Kerala, reflecting the state's strong representation in this year's honours.
State-Wise Distribution and Highlights
In total, eight individuals from Kerala have received Padma awards, while Tamil Nadu and West Bengal account for 13 and 11 awards, respectively. This distribution gains significance as all three states are set for Assembly polls this year, adding a political subtext to the awards. Tamil Nadu's awardees span fields like science, medicine, and social work, with Padma Bhushan conferred on Kallipatti Ramasamy Palaniswamy for medicine and S K M Maeilanandhan for social service. West Bengal's recipients highlight the state's prominence in arts and literature, including veteran actor Prosenjit Chatterjee among Padma Shri awardees.
Other Notable Awardees Across Categories
The Padma Bhushan list includes prominent names such as veteran actor Mammootty, senior Ezhava leader Vellappally Natesan, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari, advertising veteran Piyush Pandey (posthumous), banker Uday Kotak, and tennis legend Vijay Amritraj. In the Padma Shri category, notable recipients include cricketers Rohit Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur Bhullar, women's hockey goalkeeper Savita Punia, actors R Madhavan and Satish Shah (posthumous), and space scientist A E Muthunayagam.
Ceremony and Government Response
The Padma awards, announced annually on Republic Day, are typically presented by the President at ceremonial functions in Rashtrapati Bhavan in March or April. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended congratulations to all awardees in a post on X, stating, "Congratulations to all the Padma Awardees for their outstanding contributions to our nation. Their excellence, dedication and service across diverse fields enrich the fabric of our society. The honour reflects the spirit of commitment and excellence that continues to inspire generations."
This year's list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards, with 19 women, six foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI, and 16 posthumous conferments, showcasing a diverse and inclusive recognition of achievements.
