Kerala Bags 3 Padma Vibhushans; Maharashtra Tops Padma Awards 2026 with 15 Medals

• Maharashtra led the Padma Awards 2026 with 15 medals, including one Padma Vibhushan for Dharmendra.
• South Indian states collectively received 40 awards, with Tamil Nadu securing 13 and Kerala 8.
• Kerala made history by receiving 3 out of the 5 Padma Vibhushan awards, honoring KT Thomas, P. Narayanan (posthumous), and VS Achuthanandan (posthumous).
• Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal each received 11 awards, with all of Bengal's awards being Padma Shri.
• The awards are seen by experts as a strategic move by the Modi government ahead of upcoming assembly elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal.

Why It Matters: Maharashtra topped Padma Awards 2026, but Kerala's 3 Padma Vibhushans and South India's 40 awards highlight regional focus.