Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla. (File photo)
New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 70 armed forces personnel, including six posthumous recognitions, on the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, marking one of the largest annual military honours ceremonies in recent years.
The awards, announced on January 24-25, encompassed one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, and 53 service-specific gallantry medals, alongside 301 distinguished service decorations for the armed forces, 982 honours for police and paramilitary personnel, and 30 life-saving recognitions.
Ashok Chakra for Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force received the Ashoka Chakra – India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration – for his role in Nasa’s Axiom Mission-4 to the International Space Station. Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to journey into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soviet mission.
A test pilot with over 2,000 flying hours across platforms including the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32, Shukla demonstrated exceptional composure during critical orbital operations. The recognition marks the first time India’s highest peacetime gallantry award has been conferred for achievements in human spaceflight.
Counterterrorism ops dominate Kirti Chakra
Three Kirti Chakras – the second-highest peacetime gallantry award – were conferred for operations spanning border security and space exploration.
Major Arshdeep Singh of 1 Assam Rifles received the decoration for leading a special patrol along the India-Myanmar border on May 14, 2025. Under sudden heavy fire from a dominating height, Singh neutralized multiple armed cadres including an RPG launcher operator while ensuring zero casualties among his unit.
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of 2 Para (Special Forces) was recognized for engaging terrorists at close range in Kishtwar on April 11, 2025, eliminating two militants under hostile fire during a counter-terrorism operation.
Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair received the award for his training as an astronaut for Gaganyaan, India’s first crewed spaceflight mission.
13 Shaurya Chakras include historic maritime feat
Among the 13 Shaurya Chakra recipients were two Indian Navy women officers who completed a pioneering global circumnavigation. Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A sailed 21,600 nautical miles (approximately 40,000 kilometres) over eight months aboard INSV Tarini between October 2, 2024, and May 29, 2025, traversing four continents in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition.
Army recipients included Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar of 21 Para (Special Forces), who planned and led a precision strike along the Indo-Myanmar border that eliminated nine armed cadres and destroyed a fortified militant camp. Major Anshul Baltoo of 32 Assam Rifles single-handedly neutralised an armed cadre during combat in Dima Hasao district, while Major Shivkant Yadav of 5 Para (Special Forces) pursued and eliminated a Category “A” terrorist in close-quarter combat in Shopian.
Major Vivek of 42 Rashtriya Rifles prioritised civilian safety while engaging a Category ‘A+’ terrorist during a cordon operation in Pulwama, and Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh of 11 Para (Special Forces) spearheaded a high-risk rescue operation of kidnapped civilians under hostile fire.
One Shaurya Chakra was awarded posthumously.
The complete gallantry distribution comprised one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry) including five posthumous awards, six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
Armed forces receive 301 service decorations
Beyond gallantry awards, 301 military decorations recognized sustained operational excellence: 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bars to Sena Medal (Distinguished), 43 Sena Medals (Distinguished), eight Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished), and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi received the Vishisht Seva Medal for her operational command during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. The Indian Army separately recognized 98 personnel with Mentioned-in-Despatches for operations including Operation Rakshak (17 personnel), Operation Snow Leopard (11), Operation Hifazat (11), Operation Orchid (5), and Operation Meghdoot (2).
Police and CAPFs receive 982 Medals
The home ministry announced 982 gallantry and service medals for police, fire, home guard, civil defence, and correctional services personnel – the largest cohort of civilian law enforcement recognitions in recent years.
The distribution comprised 125 Medals for Gallantry (121 police, four fire service), 101 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service for senior leadership, and 756 Medals for Meritorious Service.
Forty-five personnel deployed in Jammu & Kashmir counterterrorism operations received awards, alongside 35 from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 40 from other regions, and five from the North-East.
Maharashtra Police received 31 gallantry medals for anti-Naxalite operations in Gadchiroli district, including two posthumous honours for Naik Constable Bitaji Veladi and Constable Kare Irpa Atram. Constable Mohan Lacchu Usendi received a first Bar to Medal for Gallantry – indicating multiple acts of bravery – while senior officers including Additional Commissioner of Police Mahesh Patil and DCP Balkrishna Yadav received President’s Medals for Distinguished Service.
Delhi Police received 33 honours, including 14 gallantry medals. Additional Commissioner of Police Pramod Singh Kushwah was recognised for an anti-terror operation in January 2024 where his team apprehended an A++ category Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist despite sustaining injuries. Inspector Amit Nara and Sub-Inspectors Braj Pal Singh Kushwah, Satish Kumar, and Udham Singh were honoured for apprehending two armed sharpshooters linked to Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh (alias Arsh Dala) in November 2023, despite hand grenade and small arms fire.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) saw 31 officers honoured, with Joint Director V Chandrasekhar, a 2000-batch IPS officer, receiving the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service for supervising the investigation into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College. Five additional CBI personnel received President’s Medals for the same investigation, while officers involved in probing rationalist Narendra Dabholkar’s killing were also recognized.
Jeevan Raksha awards recognize 30 individuals
Thirty Jeevan Raksha Padak awards were conferred for meritorious acts of human courage in saving lives: six Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak (highest category), six Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and 18 Jeevan Raksha Padak awards, including six posthumous recognitions.
The 2026 Republic Day honours reflected India’s operational priorities across counterterrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, anti-Naxalite operations in central India, border security along the India-Myanmar frontier, and the expanding role of women officers in high-risk operational domains. The recognition of space exploration through the Ashoka Chakra represents an evolution in how India defines exceptional service in peacetime.
