As India gears up for the Padma Awards 2026, several top sportspersons and contributors to Indian sports have been nominated for the country’s highest civilian honours. The list features Olympic champions, sports administrators, and medical experts—each playing a vital role in shaping India’s sports journey on the global stage.
Padma Vibhushan Nominations: India’s Finest Sporting Icons
India’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, has been recommended for two legends of Indian sports,
Abhinav Bindra
- India’s first individual Olympic gold medallist (Beijing 2008 – 10m Air Rifle)
- Five-time Olympian
- Previously honoured with Padma Bhushan (2009)
- Recommended by the Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Leander Paes
- 18-time Grand Slam champion in doubles
- Bronze medallist at Atlanta 1996 Olympics – India’s only Olympic tennis medalist
- Former Padma Shri (2001) and Padma Bhushan (2014) recipient
- Recommended by the All India Tennis Association (AITA)
If awarded, they would become the fifth and sixth sportspersons to receive the Padma Vibhushan, joining the ranks of Viswanathan Anand, Sachin Tendulkar, Sir Edmund Hillary, and M.C. Mary Kom.
Padma Bhushan Nominees: Celebrating Modern Excellence
Neeraj Chopra
- Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist in javelin throw
- Winner of World Athletics Championships and Diamond League Finals
- Previously awarded Padma Shri (2022)
- Recommended by SAI
Gagan Narang
- London 2012 bronze medallist in shooting
- Multiple Commonwealth and Asian Games medal winner
- Padma Shri awardee in 2011
- Recognized for long-standing contributions to Indian shooting
Padma Shri Nominees: Emerging Stars and Contributors
Manu Bhaker
- Double bronze medallist at Paris 2024 Olympics
- Historic feat in 10m air pistol events
- One of India’s youngest shooting sensations
Harmanpreet Singh
- Captain of the Indian men’s hockey team
- Led the team to bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics
- Key figure in India’s hockey resurgence
Randhir Singh
- Former Olympic shooter and current President of the Olympic Council of Asia
- Veteran sports administrator
Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala
- Leading sports injury expert and orthopedic surgeon
- Known for treating top athletes across disciplines
Viren Rasquinha
- Former captain of the Indian hockey team
- Known for his role in sports development and leadership at Olympic Gold Quest
Sandip Pradhan
- Former Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI)
- Played a pivotal role in implementing the Khelo India program and talent development
Static Facts for Quick Revision
- Padma Vibhushan Nominees (2026): Abhinav Bindra, Leander Paes
- Padma Bhushan Nominees (2026): Neeraj Chopra, Gagan Narang
- Padma Shri Nominees (2026): Manu Bhaker, Harmanpreet Singh, Randhir Singh, Dr. Dinshaw Pardiwala, Viren Rasquinha, Sandip Pradhan
- Bindra: India’s first individual Olympic gold, Beijing 2008
- Paes: Only Indian to win Olympic medal in tennis (1996)
- Neeraj: Gold at Tokyo 2020, first Indian to win Diamond League
ShivamAs a Content Executive Writer at Adda247, I am dedicated to helping students stay ahead in their competitive exam preparation by providing clear, engaging, and insightful coverage of both major and minor current affairs. With a keen focus on trends and developments that can be crucial for exams, researches and presents daily news in a way that equips aspirants with the knowledge and confidence they need to excel. Through well-crafted content, Its my duty to ensures that learners remain informed, prepared, and ready to tackle any current affairs-related questions in their exams.