Dr. Prabhakar Kore, a renowned educationist and community leader from Belagavi, has been selected for the Padma Shri 2026, one of India’s highest civilian honours, in the category of education and literature. The Government of India announced the list of awardees on the eve of Republic Day, recognising individuals whose work has made a significant national impact.
Brief Profile: Dr. Prabhakar Kore
Dr. Prabhakar Basavaprabhu Kore was born on August 1, 1947, in Ankali village of Belagavi district, Karnataka. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) and went on to build a multifaceted career spanning education, healthcare, politics and social development.
He is best known for his transformative leadership of the Karnatak Lingayat Education (KLE) Society, a charitable educational trust headquartered in Belagavi. Under his stewardship since the mid-1980s, the KLE Society expanded from a small group of institutions into a major education and healthcare network comprising over 300 institutions and serving more than 1.4 lakh students across schools, technical colleges, medical universities and research centres.
Dr. Kore also established the KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research (KAHER) in Belagavi and KLE Technological University in Hubballi, strengthening access to higher and professional education in North Karnataka. His contributions to healthcare include initiatives such as the multi-specialty KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital & Medical Research Centre, which provides subsidised care and research facilities in the region.
In his political career, Dr. Kore served three terms in the Rajya Sabha as a Member of Parliament from Karnataka (1990–1996, 2008–2014 and 2014–2020), during which he was part of key parliamentary committees and worked on issues related to education and community welfare.
Padma Awards 2026: Overview
The Padma Awards 2026 list includes 131 civilians honoured for excellence in fields such as arts, literature, science, public affairs, sports and social work. This year’s honours feature five Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri recipients, reflecting extraordinary contributions at national and international levels.
Notable recipients include personalities from cinema, sports, culture and academia, highlighting India’s diverse talent pool. The awards will be formally conferred by the President of India at a ceremony later this year.
Belagavi and Padma legacy
Dr. Kore’s recognition adds to the legacy of distinguished personalities associated with Belagavi. Earlier, veteran actress Sulochana Latkar, born in Belgaum (present-day Belagavi), had received the Padma Shri in 1999 for her contributions to Indian cinema.
Local leaders and citizens have congratulated Dr. Kore, hailing his achievement as a moment of pride for Belagavi and Karnataka.
