The President of India has approved the conferment of Padma Awards for 2026 on 13 persons from Tamil Nadu.
This year comprises two Padma Bhushan and 11 Padma Shri awards from Tamil Nadu.
While S.K.M. Maeilanandhan will receive Padma Bhushan for social work, K.R. Palaniswamy will receive the award for distinguished service of a high order in the field of medicine.
Maeilanandhan is the executive chairman of the Erode-based SKM Group of Companies.
H.V. Hande, who was the Health Minister in AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran’s Cabinet, was awarded Padma Shri.
Carnatic vocalists and sisters Ranjani-Gayathri were chosen for the Padma Shri award.
Punniamurthy Natesan, retired professor at Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, has been selected for the Padma Shri in the field of medicine.
Sculptor Rajastapathi Kaliappa Goundar has been chosen for the Padma Shri.
V. Kamakoti, IIT-Madras Director, has been chosen for the Padma Shri in the field of Science and Engineering.
The other Padma Shri awardees are K. Ramasamy for science and technology, Othuvaar Thiruthani Swaminathan for art, Thiruvaarur Bakthavathsalam for art and writer Sivasankari for literature and education.