Patna: Three personalities from Bihar have been conferred the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, as the Union government announced the Padma Awards 2026 on the eve of the country’s 77th Republic Day celebrations.
The awards recognise 131 individuals this year for distinguished service across disciplines, including art, literature, education, science, social service and public affairs. The list comprises five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours, with two duo awards counted as single recognitions.
Among the recipients from Bihar, Bharat Singh Bharti has been honoured for his contribution to art, while noted cultural figure Vishvabandhu has received the award posthumously in recognition of his lasting impact on the state’s artistic heritage. Gopal Ji Trivedi has been selected for the Padma Shri for his work in science and engineering.
Responding to the announcement, Bihar’s chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed happiness over the posthumous recognition for Vishvabandhu and extended congratulations to Bharti and Trivedi. In an official statement, he said the honours reflected the significant contributions made by individuals from the state in diverse fields and described the recognition as a matter of “great pride and satisfaction” for Bihar.
The government said this year’s list highlights broader representation and inclusivity. Nineteen women are among the awardees, while six recipients fall under categories such as foreign nationals, Non-Resident Indians, Persons of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizens of India. Sixteen awards have been conferred posthumously.
The Padma Awards are presented annually at ceremonial functions held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, celebrating individuals whose work has made a lasting social, cultural or professional impact across the country.
