Education leaders honored with Padma Awards 2026: From former UGC chief to IIT Madras director

The Padma Awards 2026 have once again highlighted the academic excellence of India through multiple education scholars hitting the famed list. Besides the former University Grants Commission (UGC) head Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar and IIT Madras director V Kamakoti, the awards honour people who have contributed to the development of higher education, research, and innovation in the whole country.

Given on the eve of Republic Day, the Padma Awards emphasise educators and researchers as the key players in making and shaping the future of India. This way, education is put on the same level as arts, science, and public service pillars of the nation's development. Established in 1954, the Padma Awards rank as the most illustrious civilian accolades in India. The Padma Vibhushan award is given for extraordinary and distinguished service, the Padma Bhushan is granted for distinguished service of a high order, while the Padma Shri is the award for distinguished service in any field.

In the Literature and Education category, P Narayanan from Kerala has been conferred the Padma Vibhushan, while several others—including Asok Kumar Haldar, Charan Hembram, Gambir Singh Yonzone, Kailash Chandra Pant, Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova of Russia, Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Mahendra Nath Roy, Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, Mangala Kapoor, Naresh Chandra Dev Varma, Prabhakar Basavprabhu Kore, Rabilal Tudu, Ratilal Borisagar, Prof. Shafi Shauq, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Sivasankari, and Vempaty Kutumba Sastry—have received the Padma Shri for their contributions spanning education policy, literature, linguistics, institutional leadership, and academic outreach. 

The Science and Engineering category also features prominent names such as A E Muthunayagam, Ashok Kumar Singh, Chandramouli Gaddamanugu, Gopal Ji Trivedi, Juzer Vasi, K Ramasamy, Krishnamurty Balasubramanian, Kumarasamy Thangaraj, Prem Lal Gautam, Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar, and Veezhinathan Kamakoti, underscoring India’s growing emphasis on scientific research and technological innovation.

Reacting to the honour, IIT Madras director V Kamakoti said the Padma Shri strengthened his resolve to contribute towards Viksit Bharat @ 2047, dedicating the award to the collective efforts of colleagues, students, and collaborators who shaped his journey.