Rashtrapati Bhavan Honors the Nation’s Finest: Rohit Sharma, Mammootty, and Alka Yagnik Among Padma Awardees

President Murmu confers 65 civilian honours in a second investiture ceremony, celebrating excellence across sports, cinema, and public service.

The chandeliers of the Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Durbar Hall shimmered this Tuesday as President Murmu presided over the second Civil Investiture Ceremony of 2026. In a solemn yet celebratory atmosphere, 65 distinguished personalities stepped forward to receive the Padma Awards, India’s highest civilian recognition. This gathering marked the continuation of the national honours cycle that began with an initial ceremony on May 26, effectively completing the presentation of the 131 awards announced by the Union government this past Republic Day.

The list of recipients reflected the diverse fabric of Indian achievement. Sports icon and cricketer Rohit Sharma, alongside tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, received recognition for their contributions to the field. The world of cinema saw heavyweights like Mammootty and R Madhavan taking the stage, while the soulful voice of Alka Yagnik resonated in the hall as she was honoured with the Padma Bhushan. The day’s proceedings included two Padma Vibhushan, seven Padma Bhushan, and 56 Padma Shri awards.

A Balanced Tapestry of Recognition

Beyond the household names, the ceremony underscored the government’s focus on a wide spectrum of expertise. From medicine and public affairs to trade and industry, the awardees represented both the household names and the quiet contributors to the nation’s progress. Notable recipients of the Padma Bhushan included figures like Piyush Pandey, Uday Sureshkumar Kotak, and veteran politician Shibu Soren, illustrating the varied professional circles the awards aim to encompass.

With 19 women among the total list of 131 awardees and 16 individuals honoured posthumously, the selection process highlights a concerted effort to acknowledge legacy alongside contemporary impact. The awards, instituted in 1954, remain a vital bridge between the state and the citizens who shape its cultural and professional identity.

Why it matters

The Padma honours are more than just a decorative gesture; they serve as a barometer for what the state chooses to elevate in the public consciousness. By balancing sports stars with figures from medicine, engineering, and civil service, the list attempts to project a narrative of national success that transcends any single domain. For the current administration, these ceremonies serve as an annual reaffirmation of the "exceptional achievement" doctrine—a way to signal, through the individuals chosen, the values of discipline and service that the state wishes to encourage in the broader populace.

As the 2026 cycle concludes, the focus now shifts to the lasting impact of these recognitions. In a country that often fixates on political power, these ceremonies provide a rare, unifying moment where artistic brilliance and professional rigour take centre stage at the highest office in the land.