The Indian government has announced the Padma Awards for 2026, with the late V.S. Achuthanandan, former Chief Minister of Kerala, set to receive the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, and Shibu Soren, the late former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and founder of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), to be honored with the Padma Bhushan posthumously. These announcements, made on the eve of the 77th Republic Day, have stirred considerable discussion across the political spectrum.

The Padma Vibhushan, the nation's second-highest civilian honor, will be conferred upon V.S. Achuthanandan in recognition of his exceptional service to the nation. Achuthanandan, a towering figure in Kerala politics and a founding member of the CPI(M), passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 101. He served as Kerala's Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and holds the record for the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, with 15 years in the role. His contributions to public affairs and his decades-long commitment to communist ideology have been widely recognized.

Shibu Soren, who died on August 4, 2025, at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness, will be posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to public affairs. Soren led the JMM for 38 years and served as the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Throughout his career, he was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served twice in the Rajya Sabha.

The awards to Achuthanandan and Soren are among 131 Padma Awards announced for 2026, which include 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awards. The list of awardees includes 19 women and 16 posthumous honorees. The awards recognize contributions across various fields, including art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, and civil service.

Several other prominent personalities have been named for the Padma Awards in 2026. Veteran actor Dharmendra will also receive the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Playback singer Alka Yagnik, actor Mammootty, industrialist Uday Kotak, and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari are among those awarded the Padma Bhushan.

The Padma Awards are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. These awards are announced annually on Republic Day and serve to recognize exceptional achievements and contributions to the nation. Home Minister Amit Shah has stated that these awards exemplify Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of strengthening the spirit of nation-building by inspiring millions to contribute to social change.