The Padma Awards, among India’s highest civilian honours, were announced on the eve of Republic Day 2026, recognising individuals whose work has created lasting social impact across diverse fields.

Padma Shri Awardees From Assam 

Five eminent personalities from Assam were conferred the Padma Shri for contributions to art, agriculture and public affairs:

• Late Kabindra Purkayastha (posthumous) – Former Union Minister and three-time MP, honoured for public affairs and contributions to education.
• Jogesh Deuri – Renowned sericulturist, recognised for strengthening the eri silk value chain through the Integrated Bodoland Silk Parks, benefiting over 1,600 villages and significantly enhancing women’s participation.
• Nuruddin Ahmed – A pioneer of modern Assamese stagecraft, whose innovative set designs reshaped the mobile theatre movement.
• Pokhila Lekthepi – Karbi folk singer who expanded the cultural reach of Karbi music through more than 300 folk compositions.
• Haricharan Saikia – Eminent Sattriya dancer, honoured for preserving classical traditions and promoting women’s participation in the art form.

Other Padma Shri Awardees from the Northeast

Five others from different states of the Northeast have also been awarded with Padma Shri:

• Techi Gubin (Arunachal Pradesh) – Honoured for dedicated work in social service and community development.
• Hally War (Meghalaya) – Recognised for contributions to social work and grassroots welfare.
• Yumnam Jatra Singh (Manipur) (posthumous) – Awarded for contributions to art and cultural preservation.
• Sangyusang S Pongener (Nagaland) – Honoured for achievements in art and indigenous cultural expression.
• Naresh Chandra Dev Varma (Tripura) – Awarded for contributions to literature and education.

About Padma Awards

• Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. 
• The Awards are given in the fields of activities, such as art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 
• Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field. 
• It was instituted in 1954, and is announced every year on Republic Day, however it was suspended thrice during the years 1978 and 1979 and 1993 to 1997.
• The total number of awards to be given in a year (excluding posthumous awards and to NRI/foreigners/OCIs) should not be more than 120.
• The award does not amount to a title and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix to the awardees’ name.
• The Padma Awards are conferred on the recommendations made by the Padma Awards Committee, which is constituted by the Prime Minister every year. 
• The nomination process is open to the public. Even self-nomination can be made
• These Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March/April every year. 
• In 2026, the President has approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards, including 2 duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one). 
  • The list comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri Awards. 
  • 19 of the awardees are women, 6 persons from the category of Foreigners / NRI / PIO / OCI and 16 Posthumous awardees.

Exam Hook – 

Q. Which of the following statements about Padma Awards is/are correct?

1. Padma Awards were instituted in 1954 and announced on Republic Day.
2. The awards can be used as honorary titles by recipients.
3. The nomination process for Padma Awards is open to the public.

Answer: 1 and 3 only

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