The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday, January 25, announced the list of Padma Award recipients for 2026, naming five eminent personalities from Assam among the 113 awardees selected nationwide. The announcement was made ahead of Republic Day celebrations, while the formal award ceremony will be held later this year in New Delhi.
The selection highlights Assam’s contribution to Indian art, culture, public service, and traditional industries, many of which have strong roots and continued influence in Guwahati and the wider Brahmaputra Valley.
Five eminent personalities from Assam have been selected for the Padma Shri Awards 2026, as announced by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on January 25. The awardees include folk artists, cultural icons, a sericulture expert, and a veteran public leader, recognising Assam’s contribution to art, culture, and public life.
Assam’s Padma Shri Awardees 2026
Pokhila Lekthepi | Art
A legendary Karbi folk singer often called the “Queen of Melody”, Pokhila Lekthepi has devoted over five decades to preserving Karbi musical traditions. With more than 300 folk compositions, her work has expanded the reach of Karbi music beyond hill districts into urban centres, including Guwahati’s cultural platforms and festivals.
Haricharan Saikia | Art
An acclaimed Sattriya exponent with a career spanning six decades, Haricharan Saikia played a pivotal role in popularising Sattriya dance beyond monasteries. Through the Sattriya Dance & Music School, his efforts significantly influenced Assam’s classical dance ecosystem, including institutions and students based in Guwahati.
Nuruddin Ahmed | Art
Widely regarded as the architect of modern Assamese stagecraft, Nuruddin Ahmed revolutionised the mobile theatre movement, designing sets for over 4,000 productions. His work reshaped live theatre aesthetics across Assam, with Guwahati serving as a major creative and performance hub for mobile theatre troupes.
Jogesh Deuri | Others
A renowned sericulture expert, Jogesh Deuri, established Integrated Bodoland Silk Parks, connecting over 1,600 villages to the silk value chain. His initiatives strengthened Assam’s traditional silk economy, with Guwahati emerging as a key market and coordination centre for Eri silk trade and innovation.
Kabindra Purkayastha | Public Affairs (Posthumous)
A three-time Member of Parliament and former Union Minister from Silchar, Kabindra Purkayastha, dedicated over 45 years to public service. Beyond politics, his contribution to education as the principal of Ramakrishna Vidyapeeth left a lasting impact on students across Barak Valley and Assam, including those pursuing higher studies in Guwahati.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
As Assam’s cultural, educational, and administrative capital, Guwahati has long served as the meeting point where regional traditions gain national visibility. The Padma Shri recognition of these personalities reinforces the city’s role as a platform that amplifies Assam’s folk heritage, classical arts, theatre, and grassroots industries.
What Happens Next
Although the names are announced before Republic Day, the Padma Shri medals will be formally conferred later in 2026 by Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How many people from Assam received the Padma Shri in 2026?
Five personalities from Assam have been selected for the Padma Shri Awards 2026.
Q2. When will the Padma Shri awards be presented?
The medals will be presented later in 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, by the President of India.
