J&K Govt awards 56 individuals, institutions on Republic Day

Srinagar, Jan 25: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday announced the recipients of the J&K Government Awards for Republic Day 2026, recognising outstanding contributions in diverse fields including bravery, literature, arts, public service, sports, media, social reforms and industrial entrepreneurship.

According to Government Order No. 110-JK(GAD) of 2026 issued by the General Administration Department, the awards will be conferred on Republic Day and will include a cash prize along with a citation.

In the field of bravery, the award has been granted posthumously to Adil Hussain Shah of Hapatnar, Pahalgam, who will be honoured with a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh and a citation. Nikhil Kumar (PSI) of Jammu has also been awarded for bravery, carrying a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and a citation.

Six litterateurs have been selected for awards in the field of literature. They include Yashpaul Nirmal (Dogri), Ch Hassan Parwaz (Gojri), Parwaiz Manoos (Pahari), Fayaz Dilbar (poet, posthumously), Kewal Krishan Sharma and Rattan Lal Sharma. Each award carries a cash prize of Rs 51,000 and a citation.

In the performing arts category, the awardees are Tanya Dev Gupta, Anil Tickoo, Dr Ayash Arif, Abdul Hamid Bhat, Raman Singh Slathia, Sunil Sharma, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Sudesh K Verma and Neeraj Verma. For excellence in arts and crafts, Sajjad Husain Bhat (Sozni artisan), Bhushan Kesar, Mohammad Shafi Bhat (Kani artisan), Razia Mushtaq and Ishfar Ali have been selected.

Under the category of social reforms and empowerment, the award has been announced in favour of Arhan Bagati, founder of Kashmir’s Yumberzal Applied Research Institute (KYARI), along with Home for the Aged and Infirm, Mehjabeen Nabi and Saadat Nasir Wani Sogami. The recognition of Bagati has been seen as an acknowledgement of sustained grassroots work in the health and social sector.

In the category of meritorious public service, the awardees include Dr V S Senthil Kumar, IFS, Tariq Ganai, JKAS, Rohit Sharma, JKAS, Pooja Wazir and Dr (Prof) Majid Jahangir.

The Lifetime Achievement Award has been announced posthumously in favour of Mohammad Shafi Pandit (Retd IAS).

Nine sportspersons have been selected for outstanding achievements in sports. They include Aquib Nabi Dar, Brijesh Sharma, Rakesh Singh, Vishal Khajuria, Saleem Kumar, Ravees Ahmad, Sudipti Khanna, Mohammad Iqbal and Aiyza Naz Chib.

In the media category, awards have been announced for Avtar Krishan Bhat, Vivek Suri, Somil Abrol, Dinesh Manhotra, Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Inayat Jahangir, Razia Noor, Sunil Ji Bhat, Ishfaq Gowhar Zargar, Syed Khalid Hussain, Sarosh Kafeel and Neeta Sharma, recognising their contribution to journalism and media in the Union Territory.

The award for outstanding industrial entrepreneurship has been granted to Mohammad Niyaz-ul-Kabir, Sheikh Yameen and Sunil Singh for their contribution to enterprise development.

The awards will be presented at a formal ceremony on Republic Day 2026. The government said the honours are aimed at recognising excellence, dedication and service to society across sectors in Jammu and Kashmir.