Padma Awards 2026: the doctors and healthcare pioneers honoured this year

Alongside the profile of neonatologist Dr Armida Fernandez, the Padma Awards 2026 honoured a wider group of doctors and healthcare figures whose work spans cancer care, gastroenterology, traditional medicine and rural health. Recognised across the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri tiers, these honourees reflect the range of Indian medicine, from advanced specialties to systems of traditional healing. Healthcare is a recurring presence on the Padma lists, a reflection of the central place doctors hold