Ten Indian-origin Australians from across the country have been recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List, with community leaders, medical professionals, psychiatrists, surgeons, entrepreneurs and social advocates honoured for their outstanding contributions to Australian society.

The 2026 Honours List recognises 948 Australians for exceptional service and achievement across community service, medicine, science, education, public administration, defence, sport and the arts. Among them are several prominent Indian-Australians awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and higher honours, reflecting the growing impact of the Indian diaspora on Australia’s social, cultural and professional landscape.

“As Governor-General and Chancellor of the Order of Australia, I am delighted to announce and congratulate the remarkable Australians receiving honours in the 2026 King’s Birthday list,” Governor-General Sam Mostyn said.

“Our honours system recognises outstanding people who contribute so much to Australia… their service and achievement help shape our nation.”

This year’s Honours List includes 702 recipients in the General Division, alongside 34 military awards, 149 meritorious awards, and 63 conspicuous service awards. Recipients will be formally invested at ceremonies in their respective states and territories in the coming months.

Indian-origin Australians recognised in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List include Prof. Valsamma Eapen (AO), Dr Abhishek Kumar Verma (OAM), Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari (OAM), Prof. Balasubramaniam Venkatesh (AM), Chethicad Oommen Thomas (OAM), Saurabh Mishra (OAM), Noshir Irani (OAM), Dr Atul Kumar Garg (OAM), Usha Kiran Chandra (OAM) and Bijinder Dugal (OAM), honoured for their outstanding service across medicine, psychiatry, community leadership, business, aged care and multicultural engagement.

Veteran Melbourne community leader Chethicad Oommen Thomas received the OAM for service to the Indian community of Victoria, recognising more than five decades of leadership and institution-building. Arriving in Australia in 1969 shortly after the dismantling of the White Australia Policy, Thomas dedicated his life to supporting new migrants and strengthening community connections. He founded the Malayalee Association of Victoria in 1976, served as a leader of the Australia India Society of Victoria, established the Victorian Indian Community Charitable Trust, and played a central role in developing the Indian Orthodox Church network in Victoria. His efforts helped build cultural, charitable and faith-based institutions that continue to serve thousands of Indian Australians today.

Leading child and adolescent psychiatrist Prof. Valsamma Eapen has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to psychiatry, neurodevelopmental research, child and adolescent mental health, and tertiary education. A Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), she is internationally recognised for her pioneering work in autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, Tourette syndrome and early childhood mental health. She also leads major national and global research collaborations, including autism genomics and child health initiatives, and has contributed extensively to Australian mental health policy and clinical guidelines. With more than $30 million in research funding and approximately 300 scientific publications, her work has had a profound impact on child mental health outcomes in Australia and globally.

Melbourne general practitioner Dr Abhishek Kumar Verma was awarded the OAM for service to medicine and medical administration. A former Victorian and Australian GP of the Year, he is recognised for his leadership in clinical governance, medical education and healthcare regulation, alongside extensive service in migrant and refugee health.

Gold Coast-based plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Dilipkumar Gahankari received the OAM for service to plastic and reconstructive surgery, with a career spanning reconstructive surgery, burns care, humanitarian missions and medical education across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Intensive care specialist Prof. Balasubramaniam Venkatesh was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to critical care medicine, infection control and tertiary education, recognising his leadership in intensive care medicine and international contributions to medical training and capacity-building.

Melbourne entrepreneur and community leader Saurabh Mishra was awarded the OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations. He has combined entrepreneurship with long-term volunteer work in palliative care, cultural preservation and mentoring through organisations such as TiE Melbourne, and has also supported Hindustani classical music and healthcare innovation initiatives in Victoria.

Sydney-based community volunteer Noshir Irani received the OAM for service to the community, recognising decades of leadership in multicultural organisations, volunteer services and civic engagement across New South Wales, including long-standing involvement in cultural associations and neighbourhood initiatives.

Western Australia community leader Dr Atul Kumar Garg was awarded the OAM for service to the community through neighbourhood safety initiatives, multicultural engagement and charitable work spanning more than three decades, including leadership roles in Neighbourhood Watch and Indian community organisations.

Queensland community leader Usha Kiran Chandra was recognised for service to the Indian community, particularly through cultural festivals, GOPIO Queensland and initiatives promoting multicultural participation and civic engagement.

Sydney-based community advocate Bijinder Dugal was awarded the OAM for service to aged welfare. As co-founder of the AASHA Australia Foundation, she has worked extensively to improve the wellbeing of older Australians through programs focused on active ageing, dementia awareness, elder rights education and social inclusion.

The recognition of Indian-origin Australians across multiple honours categories highlights the breadth of their contribution to modern Australia — from medicine, psychiatry and research to community service, entrepreneurship, cultural leadership and social welfare. These honours reflect not only individual excellence, but also the evolution of a vibrant diaspora that continues to play a significant role in shaping Australia’s multicultural identity.

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