Padma Awards 2026: Who were the 6 celebrities who received the first Padma Award, why was they given the highest honour?

For the first time, 6 celebrities received the Padma Award together.

President Draupadi Murmu will confer Padma awards on 66 personalities on Monday. The names of 131 Padma Award winners were announced on January 25, 2026. Under this, 66 celebrities will be honored in the first phase. Other celebrities will be honored in the second phase. Padma Award is one of the highest civilian honors of India. This honor was started in 1954. The first Padma awardees included Satyendra Nath Bose, Nandlal Bose, Zakir Hussain, Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher, V.K. Krishna Menon and Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.

Six celebrities received this honor together. The Government of India instituted two civilian awards – Bharat Ratna and Padma Vibhushan in 1954. At that time there were three categories of Padma Vibhushan, first category, second category and third category. Later on January 8, 1955, their names were changed to Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.

Who were the six personalities who were awarded the first Padma?

1- Satyendra Nath Bose

Satyendra Nath Bose is counted among the great physicists of the country. In collaboration with Albert Einstein, he gave the theory of ‘Bose-Einstein Statistics’ in 1924. The boson particle was named on the basis of his contribution.

He was a professor in Calcutta and Dhaka Universities and worked in the field of quantum mechanics. He was honored by ‘Fellow of the Royal Society’. Satyendra Nath Bose was the President of the National Science Academy and laid the foundation of modern physics.

2- Nandlal Bose

He is called the father of modern Indian art. Nandlal Bose, a disciple of Abanindranath Tagore, was the main pillar of the Bengal School of Art. Along with decorating the original copy of the Indian Constitution with his artworks, he became the Principal of Kala Bhavan in Shanti Niketan and trained generations.

A confluence of Ajanta tradition and Indian folk art was seen in the painting style of Nandlal Bose. Mahatma Gandhi was also an admirer of his art. He made historical posters for the Haripura Congress convention and played an important role in bringing a new identity to Indian art.

3- Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain, the third President of India (1967–1969), was one of the founders of Jamia Millia Islamia. He remained the Vice Chancellor here for a long time. He gave practical form to basic education. Apart from being the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, he also worked as the Governor of Bihar and the Vice President of the country.

In the year 1963, he was awarded Bharat Ratna. He was awarded the Padma Award for his dedication to spreading education in the country and nation building.

4- Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher

Balasaheb Gangadhar, the first Chief Minister of Bombay Province (1947-1952), was a skilled administrator as well as a lawyer and senior Congress leader. He played an active role in the freedom struggle and raised his voice against the British. Under his leadership many development works took place in Bombay province.

Not only this, he became the first Governor of Andhra Pradesh. He had a special fondness for Marathi and Hindi literature. His contribution in giving administrative priority to social reforms and strengthening Indian federalism was notable.

5- V.K. Krishna Menon

Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon was one of the well-known diplomats of the country. He stood up as India’s permanent representative to the United Nations on the issues of Kashmir and Goa. He was counted as Nehru’s confidant and figure and as Defense Minister (1957-1962) played an important role in modernizing the army.

Vengalil Krishnan Krishna Menon was a major supporter of the Indian independence movement in England and founded the India League. After the India-China war of 1962, he had to resign from the post of Defense Minister. He was a supporter of leftist ideas and a skilled speaker.

6- Jigme Dorji Wangchuk

Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third Druk Gyalpo (King) of Bhutan, was honored with the Padma Award. He is called the “Father of Modern Bhutan”. He abolished slavery. Land reforms and establishment of democratic institutions. Gave new heights to the friendship between India and Bhutan. Bhutan’s membership in the United Nations took place during his tenure (1971). He was given this honor for laying a strong foundation to India-Bhutan relations.

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