President Approves Gallantry and Service Awards for Armed Forces Personnel Ahead of Republic Day

Law Notify : President Droupadi Murmu has approved a wide range of gallantry and service awards for members of the Armed Forces, including six posthumous honours, on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.

Among the recipients, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, for his historic achievement as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.

The Kirti Chakra has been conferred on Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba Singh, and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair. In addition, the President approved 13 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award, one Gallantry Bar to the Sena Medal, and 44 Gallantry Sena Medals, five of them posthumous. Six Gallantry Nao Sena Medals and two Gallantry Vayu Sena Medals have also been sanctioned.

Apart from gallantry awards, the President approved 301 military decorations for Armed Forces personnel and others. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Distinguished Bars to the Sena Medal, 43 Distinguished Sena Medals, eight Distinguished Nao Sena Medals, 14 Distinguished Vayu Sena Medals, and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.

The President also approved 98 Mentioned-in-Despatches awards, including five posthumous, in recognition of distinguished service. Of these, 81 were awarded to Indian Army personnel for various operations, including Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Rhino, Operation Sindoor, rescue and casualty evacuation missions, and other miscellaneous operations. Fifteen awards went to Indian Navy personnel, while two posthumous Mentioned-in-Despatches were approved for Border Roads Development Board personnel.