The Government of India has announced the prestigious Padma Shri awards for the year 2026, honoring 113 distinguished individuals from various fields. Among the notable recipients are cricketing legends, celebrated actors, and a former IPS officer renowned for his role in a historic operation.
Sports Personalities Honored with Padma Shri
In the sports category, the awards recognize outstanding contributions from both current and former athletes. Former Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma and current women's cricket team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur have been honored for their exceptional performances and leadership on the field.
Other Sports Awardees
The list of sports awardees extends beyond cricket, highlighting achievements in various disciplines:
- Praveen Kumar, former cricketer known for his pace bowling.
- Baldev Singh, Dronacharya award-winning hockey coach who has trained numerous national players.
- Vijay Amritraj, tennis legend and former Davis Cup player.
- Savita Punia, accomplished hockey goalkeeper for the Indian women's team.
- Bhagwandas Raikwar, a Madhya Pradesh-based Bundeli war art trainer, master of four traditional weapons, and mentor to over 1000 disciples.
- K Pajanivel, a Puducherry-based Silambam coach who revived this ancient martial art and trained over 5000 students.
- Vladimir Mestvirishvili (posthumously), the Georgian wrestling coach famed for mentoring Indian wrestlers like Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Bajrang Punia, and Ravi Dahiya.
Arts and Entertainment Recognitions
The arts category celebrates luminaries from the film and theatre industries. Actors R Madhavan and Prosenjit Chatterjee, a prominent star in Bengali cinema, have been awarded for their contributions to Indian cinema.
Posthumous and Theatre Honors
Satish Shah is being honored posthumously for his stellar performances in numerous films. Additionally, veteran actor Anil Kumar Rastogi, who has been active in theatre for over six decades, received the Padma Shri for his enduring dedication to the performing arts.
Civil Services and Academic Excellence
In the civil services category, two distinguished individuals have been recognized for their impactful work.
K Vijay Kumar: The Veerappan Operation Leader
Retired IPS officer K Vijay Kumar is honored for leading the Special Task Force in 'Operation Cocoon', which was instrumental in capturing or killing the notorious bandit Veerappan. His strategic leadership in this high-stakes operation has been widely acclaimed.
RVS Mani and Academic Contributions
RVS Mani, a former Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, is recognized for authoring five books of national interest. In academia, Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), is honored for significant initiatives, including the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test and his key role in implementing the National Education Policy 2022.
Conclusion
The Padma Shri awards for 2026 reflect India's rich diversity of talent and achievement across sports, arts, civil services, and education. From cricketing icons to martial art revivalists, and from actors to operation leaders, each awardee has made indelible contributions to their respective fields, embodying the spirit of excellence and service to the nation.
