President Droupadi Murmu will present Padma Awards for the year 2026 on the 25th of this month. In a social media post, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that the President will confer the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards at the first Civil Investiture Ceremony to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This year, the Government of India has announced a total of 131 Padma Awards. These include five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. Among the awardees, 19 are women, while 16 individuals will be conferred posthumously.

The Padma Awards, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, are amongst the highest civilian awards of the country. Instituted in 1954, these Awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day every year. The Award seeks to recognise work of distinction and is given for distinguished and exceptional achievements in various fields and disciplines, including Art, Literature, Education, Sports, Medicine, Social Work, Science and Engineering, Public Affairs and Trade and Industry.