Padma Awards 2026 Celebrate Academic Excellence and Educational Leadership
The prestigious Padma Awards 2026 have been announced, bringing into focus the remarkable contributions of India's academic and educational leaders. This year's list honors individuals whose work has significantly advanced higher education, research, and innovation across the nation.
Spotlight on Eminent Educationists
Among the distinguished awardees are former University Grants Commission (UGC) chief Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar and IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, both receiving the Padma Shri. Their recognition underscores the government's commitment to acknowledging intellectual leadership and the pivotal role educators play in shaping India's future.
Announced on the eve of Republic Day, these awards highlight the importance of knowledge as a cornerstone of national progress. The Padma Awards 2026 place education on par with arts, science, and public service, reaffirming its critical status in India's development journey.
Understanding the Padma Awards Categories
The Padma Awards are categorized into three levels of distinction:
- Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan: Conferred for distinguished service of high order.
- Padma Shri: Recognizes distinguished service in any field.
Complete List of Awardees in Literature and Education
Based on the official Padma Awards 2026 list, the following personalities have been honored in the fields of Literature and Education:
- P Narayanan – Padma Vibhushan – Kerala
- Asok Kumar Haldar – Padma Shri – West Bengal
- Charan Hembram – Padma Shri – Odisha
- Gambir Singh Yonzone – Padma Shri – West Bengal
- Kailash Chandra Pant – Padma Shri – Madhya Pradesh
- Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova – Padma Shri – Russia
- Mahendra Kumar Mishra – Padma Shri – Odisha
- Mahendra Nath Roy – Padma Shri – West Bengal
- Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar – Padma Shri – Delhi
- Mangala Kapoor – Padma Shri – Uttar Pradesh
- Naresh Chandra Dev Varma – Padma Shri – Tripura
- Prabhakar Basavprabhu Kore – Padma Shri – Karnataka
- Rabilal Tudu – Padma Shri – West Bengal
- Ratilal Borisagar – Padma Shri – Gujarat
- Prof. Shafi Shauq – Padma Shri – Jammu and Kashmir
- Shashi Shekhar Vempati – Padma Shri – Karnataka
- Sivasankari – Padma Shri – Tamil Nadu
- Vempaty Kutumba Sastry – Padma Shri – Andhra Pradesh
Complete List of Awardees in Science and Engineering
The Padma Awards 2026 also recognize outstanding contributions in Science and Engineering:
- A E Muthunayagam – Padma Shri – Kerala
- Ashok Kumar Singh – Padma Shri – Uttar Pradesh
- Chandramouli Gaddamanugu – Padma Shri – Telangana
- Gopal Ji Trivedi – Padma Shri – Bihar
- Juzer Vasi – Padma Shri – Maharashtra
- K Ramasamy – Padma Shri – Tamil Nadu
- Krishnamurty Balasubramanian – Padma Shri – Telangana
- Kumarasamy Thangaraj – Padma Shri – Telangana
- Prem Lal Gautam – Padma Shri – Himachal Pradesh
- Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar – Padma Shri – Karnataka
- Veezhinathan Kamakoti – Padma Shri – Tamil Nadu
Reactions from Awardees
IIT Madras director V Kamakoti expressed his gratitude and commitment upon receiving the Padma Shri. He stated, "The Padma Shri Award means only one thing to me. That I will put all my best efforts towards 'Viksit Bharat @ 2047'. Whatever I have achieved is all because of collective effort, and I dedicate this award to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Jai Hind!"
This sentiment reflects the collective spirit and dedication that characterizes India's educational and scientific communities, as celebrated by the Padma Awards 2026.
