Karnataka is honouring 71 achievers with the 2026 Rajyotsava Awards today, November 1, as the state celebrates Kannada Rajyotsava, the day the Kannada-speaking state was formed in 1956. The list, announced by the state government on October 30, includes former Advocate General B.V. Acharya, veteran politician Kagodu Thimmappa, actor Ashok and Yakshagana artiste Gopala Ganiga.
Each awardee receives Rs 5 lakh in cash and a 25-gram gold medal, along with a citation. The awards are being conferred during the 71st Rajyotsava celebrations.
About the Rajyotsava Award
The Rajyotsava Award, also known as the Rajyotsava Prashasti, is Karnataka's second-highest civilian honour after the Karnataka Ratna. It is given every year to people who have made a mark in fields ranging from literature and the arts to social service, science, sports and public administration. The award ties in with Kannada Rajyotsava, which marks the formation of the state of Mysore on November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act. The state was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
Kannada and Culture Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi confirmed this year's list. Twelve women are among the 71 recipients.
Notable Names on the 2026 List
The 2026 list is wide-ranging, spread across districts and even overseas Kannadigas. Some of the better-known names include:
- B.V. Acharya (Judiciary, Udupi) – former Advocate General of Karnataka
- Kagodu Thimmappa (Social service, Shivamogga) – veteran politician
- Ashok (Cinema, Bengaluru Rural) – actor
- Gopala Ganiga (Yakshagana, Udupi) – Yakshagana artiste
- Dr C.A. Sridhar (Music, Mysuru)
- Jim Ravi (Sports, Kolar)
- Fr. Joseph, Vice-Chancellor of Christ University (Education, Bengaluru Urban)
- Ramesh Gowda, former president of AKKA America (Non-resident Kannadiga)
- Dr Indira Hegde – writer and researcher
- Vishwanath Suvarna – photojournalist
- Teresa Bhattacharya – former IAS officer
- K.N. Venkata Krishna Rao – engineer
Category-Wise Break-Up
Social service has the largest share with nine awardees, followed by folk arts and the "others" category with seven each. Here is how the 71 awards are spread across major fields, based on the published list:
| Social service | 9 |
| Folk arts (Janapada) | 7 |
| Others | 7 |
| Literature | 6 |
| Theatre | 6 |
| Education | 4 |
| Music | 3 |
| Cinema and television | 3 |
| Sports | 3 |
| Media and photography | 3 |
| Agriculture, Sculpture, Medical, Administration, Science-Technology | 2 each |
| Dance, Yakshagana, Bayalata, Painting, Handicrafts, Environment, Judiciary, Architecture, Engineering, Non-resident | 1 each |
Key Facts
| Award | Karnataka Rajyotsava Award 2026 |
| Number of awardees | 71 (including 12 women) |
| List announced | October 30, 2026 |
| Conferred on | November 1, 2026 (Kannada Rajyotsava) |
| Prize | Rs 5 lakh, 25-gram gold medal and citation |
| Minister in charge | Shivaraj Tangadagi, Kannada and Culture |
Why the Day Matters
Kannada Rajyotsava is one of Karnataka's biggest public celebrations. The red-and-yellow Kannada flag goes up on government buildings, schools and neighbourhood circles across Bengaluru and other cities, and cultural programmes celebrate the language and its literature. The awards are a key part of the day because they reach well beyond Bengaluru, recognising folk performers, Yakshagana artistes, farmers and social workers from smaller districts alongside better-known public figures.
The state shares its formation day with several others, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Chhattisgarh, which were all reorganised or created on November 1 in different years.
A List That Reaches Every Corner
One striking feature of this year's list is how far it travels beyond the capital. Udupi, Shivamogga, Mysuru, Kolar, Dharwad and Uttara Kannada all have representatives, and the honours span traditional forms such as Yakshagana and Bayalata alongside modern fields like engineering, science and media. Overseas Kannadigas are recognised too, with a non-resident category and a science award for a Karnataka-born researcher based in Canada.
For many folk artistes and grassroots social workers, the Rajyotsava Award is the biggest public recognition they will receive, and the Rs 5 lakh prize can make a real difference. That is why the list is followed closely across the state every year, and why it often sparks debate over who made the cut and who did not.
What Happens Next
With the awards conferred, celebrations continue through November across Karnataka, as Kannada organisations and schools traditionally hold Rajyotsava events throughout the month. The full list of all 71 winners, with their districts and fields, has been released by the state government.
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