(Photo Courtesy): @PIB Kohima/X
New Delhi, January 25 (MExN): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Sunday announced the Padma Awards for 2026, with Nagaland finding representation among the country’s highest civilian honours.
Guru Sangyusang S Pongener (Sangyusang Pongen) of Ungma village been conferred the Padma Shri in the field of Art, recognising his contribution to cultural expression and artistic practice.
The Padma Awards, announced annually on the occasion of Republic Day, are among India’s highest civilian honours and are conferred in three categories — Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri. For 2026, the President of India has approved a total of 131 awards, including five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri honours
Among the highest honours, the Padma Vibhushan has been conferred posthumously on veteran actor Dharmendra Singh Deol, and on former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandhan for Public Affairs. Other recipients include eminent violinist N Rajam, former Supreme Court judge K T Thomas, and noted scholar P Narayanan
The Padma Bhushan, awarded for distinguished service of a high order, has gone to several prominent personalities across fields. The list includes singer Alka Yagnik, actor Mammootty, former tennis star Vijay Amritraj, industrialist Uday Kotak, social worker S K M Maeilanandhan, and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren (posthumous), among others
The awards will be formally conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions at Rashtrapati Bhavan on a later date.
