South Africa tour of India 2019
Padma Shri 2026 for Hyderabad Geneticist Dr Kumaraswamy Thangaraj
Renowned geneticist Dr Kumaraswamy Thangaraj, Senior Scientist at Hyderabad’s Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), has been awarded the Padma Shri 2026 for his pioneering contributions to human genetics. The honour places him among the most distinguished scientists from Hyderabad to receive a Padma award.
With over three decades of research experience, Dr Thangaraj has played a crucial role in redefining the understanding of India’s genetic diversity and human origins. One of his most celebrated discoveries established that the tribal populations of the Andaman Islands are direct descendants of the earliest modern humans who migrated out of Africa nearly 65,000 years ago via a southern coastal route.
Reacting to the announcement, Dr Thangaraj said the award would inspire young Indian researchers, particularly those pursuing basic sciences. He urged students not to give up, emphasising that dedicated research work would eventually receive recognition.
Currently a Senior Scientist at CCMB and former Director of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Dr Thangaraj leads research in human origins, health, and disease. He expressed deep gratitude for the honour, describing it as a moment of pride that was still sinking in.
Dr Thangaraj now joins a prestigious list of Hyderabad-based scientists who have received Padma awards, including Dr P.M. Bhargava, Dr Lalji Singh, and Dr D. Balasubramanian, further cementing the city’s legacy as a hub of scientific excellence.
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