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The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Awards for the year 2026 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-II held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (June 23, 2026). A total of 65 eminent and distinguished personalities from different fields, including arts, public affairs, medicine, literature and more, were honoured with the coveted Padma Awards.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Vice President of India, Prime Minister of India and Union Minister for Home Affairs.
Noted playback singer Alka Yagnik was conferred with Padma Bhushan for her three-decade-long contribution to Indian music, while legendary Assamese sculptor Nuruddin Ahmed was honoured with Padma Shri for his decades of brilliant visual storytelling and remarkable stage craftsmanship.
Other noted citizens who were honoured at the 65th Padma Awards included tennis player Vijay Amritraj, actor Mammootty, Carnatic maestro Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam, cricketer Rohit Sharma and many more.
Dr Armida Fernandez, a renowned paediatrician and neonatologist, was conferred with Padma Shri for her transformative contributions to medicine and public health. Dr Suresh Hanagavad also received the Padma Shri for her contributions in the field of medicine.
Dr Charan Hembram was conferred with the Padma Shri over lasting contributions to literature and education, while Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda got the Padma Shri honour for lifelong dedication to preserving Tarpa, a traditional tribal wind instrument of the Warli community.
Tuesday’s function marked the second civil investiture ceremony, where the President conferred 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan and 56 Padma Shri.
President Droupadi Murmu presented 65 Padma Awards, including two Padma Vibhushans, six Padma Bhushans, and 57 Padma Shris, during the first civil investiture ceremony on May 25.
Each year, the honors are announced on Republic Day. This year, the Centre issued 131 Padma honors, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honors. 19 of these honorees are women, with 16 receiving the prized honour posthumously.
The Padma Awards were established in 1954 and are announced annually on the eve of Republic Day to honour persons who have made remarkable and distinguished accomplishments in their respective fields.
Source: IANS
