NewKerala.com

Padma Awards 2026: Posthumous Honours for V S Achuthanandan, Shibu Soren

The Government of India has announced the Padma Awards for 2026 on the eve of Republic Day. The list includes several posthumous honours for veteran political leaders. Former Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan is awarded the Padma Vibhushan, while former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren and BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra receive the Padma Bhushan. A total of 131 civilian honours have been conferred across various categories.

Key Points: Padma Awards 2026: Posthumous Honours Announced

  • Posthumous Padma Vibhushan for V S Achuthanandan
  • Padma Bhushan for Shibu Soren
  • Padma Bhushan for Vijay Kumar Malhotra
  • Padma Bhushan for Bhagat Singh Koshyari
  • 131 total civilian honours announced
2 min read

Padma Awards 2026: Posthumous honours for V S Achuthanandan, Shibu Soren

Union Government announces Padma Awards 2026. V S Achuthanandan gets Padma Vibhushan, Shibu Soren and Vijay Kumar Malhotra receive Padma Bhushan posthumously.

"honouring several eminent political leaders from across the country - Government Announcement"

New Delhi, January 25

The Union Government on Sunday announced the list of Padma Award recipients for 2026, honouring several eminent political leaders from across the country on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.

Former Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan will be conferred with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously. Achuthanandan, who passed away on July 21, 2025, at the age of 101, served as Kerala's Chief Minister from 2006 to 2011 and was the longest-serving Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly for 15 years. A founding member of the CPI(M), he served as Secretary of the party's Kerala State Committee from 1980 to 1992 and was LDF convener from 1996 to 2000. He held the post of Leader of the Opposition during three terms between 1992 and 2016.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha founder Shibu Soren will be honoured posthumously with the Padma Bhushan. Soren, who died on August 4, 2025, at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness, led the JMM for 38 years and served as the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand. During his four-decade-long political career, he was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served twice in the Rajya Sabha.

Veteran BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra, who passed away on September 30, 2025, will also receive the Padma Bhushan posthumously. He was known for his ideological commitment and significant contributions to strengthening the BJP, especially in Delhi, and was widely respected across party lines.

Former Maharashtra Governor and former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhagat Singh Koshyari has also been named for the Padma Bhushan. Koshyari served as a Rajya Sabha MP from 2008 to 2014 and later represented the Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar constituency in the Lok Sabha.

The Centre on Sunday announced a total of 131 civilian honours across the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri categories. The list includes several prominent figures from public life, arts, cinema, literature, sports and public affairs.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Guruji (Shibu Soren) was a towering figure for the tribal communities of Jharkhand. His Padma Bhushan is a recognition of his lifelong struggle for statehood and the rights of the adivasis. A great honour.
A
Aditya G
While it's good to honour political veterans, I sometimes wish the Padma list had more unsung heroes from fields like science, grassroots social work, or education. The political names often overshadow others.
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the cross-party recognition. Honouring leaders from CPI(M), JMM, and BJP shows a spirit of acknowledging service beyond political affiliations. That's a positive step for a democracy.
S
Shreya B
VS Achuthanandan at 101! What an incredible life span and career. To remain active in public service for so long is truly inspirational. His Padma Vibhushan will be celebrated across Kerala.
K
Karthik V
Posthumous awards are bittersweet. The families must feel proud, but it's a shame the recipients couldn't receive the honour in their lifetime. Still, it's important their legacy is officially recognised.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50