Just days before Republic Day, an unofficial list of Padma Awards 2026 recipients has emerged, featuring dedicated souls like Kailash Chand, Braj Lal Bhatt, and Dr. Shyam Sundar. While the government has yet to make it official, the revelations highlight India’s grassroots changemakers.
These awards honor those who, despite facing severe personal trials—from poverty and discrimination to physical disabilities—chose to uplift others. Drawn from backward classes, Dalits, Adivasis, and far-flung areas, they embody resilience.
Their work spans critical domains: healthcare innovations against local diseases, pioneering pediatric facilities like the nation’s first human milk bank, cultural preservation in border regions, and revival of tribal dialects, martial arts, vanishing arts, and weaves. Environmental stewardship and sanitation advocacy round out their legacies.
Key names on the list include Anke Gowda, Armida Fernandes, Bhagwandas Raikwar, Bhiklya Ladkya Dhinda, Brij Lal Bhat, Budhri Tati, Charan Hembram, Chiranjilal Yadav, Dharmik Lal Chunilal Pandya, Gafaruddin Mewati Jogi, Hailey War, Inderjeet Singh Sidhu, K Pajanivel, Kailash Chandra Pant, Khem Raj Sundriyal, Kollakkayil Devki Amma Ji, Kumarswami Thangraj, Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Meer Haji Bhai Kasam Bhai, Mohan Nagar, Naresh Chandra Dev Verma, Nilesh Vinodchand Mandlevala, Nooruddin Ahmad, Othuvur Thiruthani Swaminathan, Padma Gurmet, Pokhila Lekthepi, Punniyamoorthy Natesan, R Krishnan, Raghu Pat Singh, Raghuvir Tukaram Khedkar, Rajastapati Kaliyappa Gounder, Rama Reddy Mamidi, Ramchandra Godbole and Sunita Godbole, S G Sushilamma, Sangyusang S Pongener, Shafi Shauk, Shrirang Devaba Lad, Shyam Sundar, Simanchal Patro, Suresh Hangavadi, Taga Ram Bhil, Techi Gubin, Thiruvarur Bakthavatsalam, Vish Bandhu Ok, and Yumnam Jatra Singh.
As Republic Day approaches, these honorees stand as beacons of hope, proving that individual dedication can transform communities.