Eight Agri Experts Among 2026 Padma Award Winners
On the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Draupadi Murmu announced the conferment of the prestigious Padma awards, recognizing distinguished service across various fields, including art, social work, science, and medicine. The announcement, made on January 25, 2026, by the Ministry of Home Affairs, included a total of 131 Padma awards, comprising five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri awardees.
A Focus on Agriculture
This year, eight individuals dedicated to agriculture, animal husbandry, and crop sciences were honored for their significant contributions to the field. Among them are celebrated academicians who have led India’s premier agricultural universities, as well as grassroots innovators working tirelessly at the community level.
Profiles of the Awardees
Ashok Kumar Singh
A prominent plant geneticist and former director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Ashok Kumar Singh is best known for developing high-yielding Basmati rice varieties. His research integrates molecular breeding with conventional methods to enhance grain quality and disease resistance.
Gopalji Trivedi
An agricultural education veteran and former vice-chancellor of the Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Pusa, Bihar, Gopalji Trivedi has played a crucial role in shaping agricultural pedagogy in the region. He has championed the use of technology to empower farmers in Bihar’s unique agro-climatic zones.
K. Ramasamy
A distinguished agricultural scientist, K. Ramasamy served as the vice-chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. He was instrumental in modernizing agricultural education in Tamil Nadu and has contributed to various national committees for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Prem Lal Gautam
Currently the chancellor of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Prem Lal Gautam is a noted geneticist and plant breeder. He has previously served as the Deputy Director General (Crop Science) at ICAR and is credited with developing over 12 improved crop varieties, including wheat and foxtail millet.
Jogesh Deuri
A sericulture expert, Jogesh Deuri is the Director of Sericulture for the Bodoland Territorial Council. He is recognized for promoting ‘Eri’ silk farming in Assam, a technique of nonviolent silk breeding. His efforts have modernized traditional rearing methods, generating income for rural youth and tribal communities in the Kokrajhar district.
Shrirang Devaba Lad
Hailing from Maharashtra, Shrirang Devaba Lad has been acknowledged for his service to agriculture in the state, representing the community of progressive farmers who are driving innovation at the field level.
Rama Reddy Mamidi
A towering figure in the cooperative movement, Rama Reddy Mamidi was awarded posthumously. He founded the Co-operative Development Foundation and championed the Mulukanoor model, empowering rural communities through democratically managed dairy and credit cooperatives in Telangana.
Raghupat Singh
Also awarded posthumously, Raghupat Singh was recognized for his contributions to grassroots agriculture in Uttar Pradesh, leaving a lasting impact on the farming community.
Broader Recognition in Science and Engineering
In addition to the agricultural awardees, the 2026 Padma awards also recognized several notable figures in the field of science and engineering. Among them are:
A.E. Muthunayagam
Recognized as an architect of ISRO’s liquid propulsion systems, Muthunayagam has made significant contributions to India’s space endeavors.
Chandramouli Gaddamanugu
A former DRDO scientist, Gaddamanugu led the development of the Akash missile system over a career spanning more than three decades.
Juzer Vasi
From IIT Bombay, Vasi has been honored for his innovative work in solar photovoltaics, contributing to sustainable energy solutions.
V. Kamakoti
The director of IIT-Madras and developer of the SHAKTI microprocessor, Kamakoti has played a vital role in advancing India’s semiconductor technology.
Kumarasamy Thangaraj
A senior scientist at CSIR-CCMB, Thangaraj is renowned for his research in population genetics.
Praveen Kumar
An IIT-Mandi researcher, Kumar is developing AI-based early-warning systems for landslides in the Himalayas, addressing critical environmental challenges.
Krishnamurty Balasubramanian
Recognized for his work in materials science at the Nonferrous Materials Technology Development Centre.
Shubha V. Iyengar
The sole woman on the ‘Science and Engineering’ list, Iyengar has been honored for her contributions at the intersection of chemistry, materials science, and aeronautical engineering.
Conclusion
The Padma awards serve as a testament to the invaluable contributions of individuals in various fields, particularly in agriculture and science. The recognition of these eight agricultural experts highlights the importance of innovation and dedication in enhancing food security and agricultural practices in India.
Note: The Padma awards are one of the highest civilian honors in India, aimed at recognizing exceptional service in various disciplines. The contributions of these
