Assam received a major recognition this year as five eminent personalities from the state were selected for the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Their achievements span public affairs, agriculture, theatre, folk music, and classical dance, highlighting Assam’s rich contribution to governance, culture, and traditional knowledge.
Five Padma Shri Awardees from Assam (2026)
| Awardee | Field | Major Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Kabindra Purkayastha (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Former Union Minister and three-time MP |
| Jogesh Deuri | Agriculture | Pioneer of Eri Silk and Sericulture |
| Nuruddin Ahmed | Art (Theatre) | Pioneer of Assamese stagecraft |
| Pokhila Lekthepi | Art (Folk Music) | Preservation of Karbi folk music |
| Haricharan Saikia | Art (Sattriya Dance) | Promotion of Sattriya classical dance |
1. Kabindra Purkayastha (Posthumous)
Field
Public Affairs
Kabindra Purkayastha was posthumously honoured with the Padma Shri 2026 for his outstanding contributions to public life and governance.
Key Contributions
- Three-time Member of Parliament from Silchar.
- Served as a Union Minister in the Government of India.
- Former Principal of Ramakrishna Vidyapeeth.
- Contributed significantly to education and public administration in the Barak Valley.
- Recognised for decades of dedicated public service.
Why was he honoured?
His lifelong contribution to governance, education, and public welfare earned him national recognition through the Padma Shri.
2. Jogesh Deuri
Field
Agriculture (Sericulture)
Jogesh Deuri is one of Assam’s most respected sericulture experts and has played a transformative role in promoting Eri silk, a traditional textile industry in Assam.
Major Achievements
- Developed the Integrated Bodoland Silk Parks.
- Connected more than 1,600 villages to the silk value chain.
- Improved livelihoods of thousands of rural families.
- Increased women’s participation in the Eri silk sector to nearly 70%.
- Strengthened Assam’s sericulture ecosystem.
Significance
His work has helped preserve Assam’s traditional silk industry while generating sustainable rural employment.
3. Nuruddin Ahmed
Field
Art (Theatre & Stagecraft)
Nuruddin Ahmed is regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Assamese theatre and stage design.
Major Contributions
- Designed sets for more than 4,000 theatre productions.
- Revolutionised the visual presentation of Assam’s famous mobile theatre movement.
- Contributed to the design of the Batadrava Cultural Project.
- Inspired generations of theatre artists through innovative stagecraft.
Significance
His contribution greatly enhanced the artistic quality of Assamese theatre and helped popularise it nationally.
4. Pokhila Lekthepi
Field
Art (Karbi Folk Music)
Pokhila Lekthepi is a renowned Karbi folk singer recognised for preserving and promoting the traditional musical heritage of the Karbi community.
Major Contributions
- Composed and performed over 300 Karbi folk songs.
- Promoted indigenous tribal music across India.
- Worked to preserve the Karbi language and musical traditions.
- Encouraged younger generations to learn traditional folk music.
Significance
Her work has strengthened the cultural identity of the Karbi community and safeguarded Assam’s tribal heritage.
5. Haricharan Saikia
Field
Art (Sattriya Classical Dance)
Haricharan Saikia is one of the senior-most exponents of Sattriya Dance, one of India’s eight classical dance forms.
Major Contributions
- Dedicated over six decades to Sattriya dance.
- Founded institutions for Sattriya dance and music.
- Trained hundreds of students.
- Promoted women’s participation in classical dance.
- Played an important role in popularising Sattriya at the national level.
Significance
His contribution has helped preserve Assam’s classical dance tradition for future generations.
Exam-Oriented One-Liners
- Padma Awards 2026 were announced on 25 January 2026.
- The awards are announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Padma Shri is India’s fourth-highest civilian award.
- Assam received five Padma Shri Awards in 2026.
- Kabindra Purkayastha received the award posthumously.
- Jogesh Deuri was honoured for his contribution to sericulture.
- Nuruddin Ahmed is associated with Assamese theatre.
- Pokhila Lekthepi is a noted Karbi folk singer.
- Haricharan Saikia is a renowned Sattriya dancer.
Practice MCQs
1. How many personalities from Assam received the Padma Shri Award in 2026?
A. Three
B. Four
C. Five ✅
D. Six
2. Which ministry announces the Padma Awards every year?
A. Ministry of Culture
B. Ministry of Home Affairs ✅
C. Ministry of Education
D. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
3. Jogesh Deuri received the Padma Shri Award 2026 for contributions in which field?
A. Literature
B. Agriculture (Sericulture) ✅
C. Sports
D. Science
4. Which Padma Shri awardee from Assam was honoured posthumously in 2026?
A. Haricharan Saikia
B. Nuruddin Ahmed
C. Kabindra Purkayastha ✅
D. Pokhila Lekthepi
5. Pokhila Lekthepi is associated with which traditional art form?
A. Bihu Dance
B. Sattriya Dance
C. Karbi Folk Music ✅
D. Bhaona