Khaleda Zia, Cadet College Among 20 Individuals and Institutions to Receive Independence Award

The government of Bangladesh has selected 20 individuals and institutions for the Independence Award 2026, the country’s highest civilian honor, recognizing outstanding contributions to national life in fields ranging from the Liberation War and democracy to science, culture, sports, and social service.

The decision was finalized during a cabinet meeting and announced by Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani on Thursday (5 March). The awards will be conferred on the occasion of Independence Day, 26 March.

Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister and chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has been named posthumously for her overall contributions to independence, democracy, women’s education, and nation-building.

The full list of recipients is as follows:

• Begum Khaleda Zia (posthumous) – Independence, democracy, women’s education, and overall contribution to nation-building
• Faujdarhat Cadet College – Liberation War
• Major Mohammad Abdul Jalil (posthumous) – Liberation War
• Professor Dr. Zahurul Karim – Science and Technology
• Dhaka Medical College Hospital – Medical Science
• Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui (posthumous) – Literature
• A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) – Culture
• Bashir Ahmed (posthumous) – Culture
• Jobeda Rahman (Linu) – Sports
• Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) – Rural Development
• Dr. Zafrullah Chowdhury (posthumous) – Social Service/Public Service
• SOS Children’s Villages International in Bangladesh – Social Service/Public Service
• Md. Saidul Haque – Social Service/Public Service
• Gonoshasthaya Kendra – Social Service/Public Service
• Maherin Chowdhury (posthumous) – Social Service/Public Service
• Kazi Fazlur Rahman (posthumous) – Public Administration
• Mohammad Abdul Baqi, PhD – Research and Training
• Professor Dr. M.A. Rahim – Research and Training
• Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua – Research and Training
• Abdul Muqit Majumder (Muqit Majumder Babu) – Environmental Conservation

Established in 1977 to commemorate the sacrifices of the 1971 Liberation War martyrs, the Independence Award (also known as Swadhinata Padak) is presented annually on 26 March. It recognizes exceptional and glorious contributions in designated national fields, and it is conferred on both individuals and institutions.

The award carries significant prestige as the country’s foremost civilian honor, often regarded as Bangladesh’s equivalent of national honors in other countries.

This year’s recipients reflect a broad spectrum of contributions, from wartime heroism and medical service to cultural enrichment, rural upliftment, and environmental protection.