The Government of India has announced the prestigious Padma Awards for 2026, recognising distinguished contributions across multiple fields. This year’s honours list carries a strong sporting presence, with nine eminent personalities from Indian sports being celebrated for their outstanding achievements and impact on the nation’s sporting landscape.
Leading the list is Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj, who has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honour. Amritraj, a pioneer of Indian tennis, reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 18 and represented India at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. During his illustrious career, he won 15 ATP singles titles and registered memorable victories over greats like Björn Borg and John McEnroe. He also reached the quarter-finals of four Grand Slam tournaments.
The Padma Shri list prominently features stars behind India’s recent global cricketing success. India men’s captain Rohit Sharma was honoured for leading the team through back-to-back ICC triumphs, including the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy victory.
Joining him is India women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, whose inspirational leadership guided the Indian women’s team to its maiden ODI World Cup title last year.
Indian hockey stalwart Savita Punia also received the Padma Shri after a remarkable international career. The veteran goalkeeper became only the second Indian keeper after PR Sreejesh to complete 300 international matches and led India to a FIH Nations Cup title and a Commonwealth Games bronze medal.
Former Olympian and renowned coach Baldev Singh was recognised for over four decades of transformational coaching that nurtured stars such as Rani Rampal and Sandeep Singh.
In a historic first, late Georgian wrestling coach Vladimir Mestvirishvili became the first foreign coach to receive a posthumous Padma Shri. Widely regarded as a key architect behind India’s wrestling success, he mentored Olympic medallists including Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt, Ravi Dahiya and Bajrang Punia.
The honoured list also includes Paralympic high jump champion Praveen Kumar, traditional martial arts (Silambam) exponent K Pajanivel from Puducherry, and traditional combat arts archer Bhagwandas Raikwar from Madhya Pradesh.
The Padma Awards 2026 celebrate not only elite champions who brought global glory to India, but also grassroots mentors and custodians who continue to shape the future of Indian sport.
