Tennis player Vijay Amritraj, five others named Padma award winners in Foreigner, NRI and OCI categories

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Sunday (January 25, 2026), the eve of the 77th Republic Day, announced the list of 131 persons who will receive the prestigious Padma Awards, one of the highest civilian Awards of the country.

Also Read: Full list of Padma Awards 2026

The Padma Awards recognise distinguished contributions in different categories: arts, education, industry, literature, science, acting, medicine, social service and public affairs.

The awards are given in three categories: Padma Vibhushan (for exceptional and distinguished service), Padma Bhushan (distinguished service of higher order) and Padma Shri (distinguished service).

Out of the 131 awardees this year, six persons are from the category of foreigners, NRI, PIO and OCI, according to a government statement published on Sunday (January 25, 2026). Here is a list of awardees under the category:

Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu

Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu, settled in the U.S., is an oncologist who has five decades of experience in treating nine types of cancer. The government, this year, has recognised his efforts that put in developing new methods in treating cancer. He is also famous for lending a hand in establishing cancer centres in several countries.

Vijay Amritraj

Vijay Amritaraj is honoured with Padma Bhushan in the category of sports for his contributions to India through tennis. He is recognised as one of India’s most successful tennis players, who has placed Indian tennis on the international map. Now settled in U.S., he has won 16 titles for India and has captained the Davis Cup team.

Prof. (Dr.) Lars-Christian Koch

Prof. Lars-Christian Koch is a globally acclaimed museologist who is named for the Padma Shri award in the arts category. He is a practitioner of the North Indian classical music. The German has also researched the theory on the same topic. Mr. Koch has also published three work on Indian music and musical instruments.

Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova

Liudmila Viktorovna Khokhlova is named for Padma Shri in the category of literature and education. She is a famous Russian professor of Indology and linguist. She has authored five books. Ms. Khokhlova has also published over 70 reports ad several research papers. In her career spanning over five decades she has done contributions to Hindi, Punjabi Gujarati and Marwari.

Vladimer Mestvirishvili

Vladimer Mestvirishvili is posthumously named for Padma Shri in the category of sports. As a legendary freestyle wrestling coach, Mestvirishvili had helped India to its shaping as a wresling powerhouse.

Prateek Sharma

Pateek Sharma, who is settled in the U.S., is named for Padma Shri in the medicine category. As a Gastroenterologist, Mr. Sharma has improved the management of GI diseases and Cancer.