New Delhi, Jan. 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 betwe...