President Murmu Approves Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards for Armed Forces Ahead of Republic Day
Seventy personnel, including astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, honoured for bravery, with 301 military decorations also approved for exemplary service across Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
On the eve of the 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved Gallantry Awards for 70 personnel of India’s armed forces, including six awards to be conferred posthumously, in recognition of their courage and distinguished service to the nation.
Among the recipients, Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—India’s second citizen to travel to space—has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry honour.
The list of gallantry awards includes one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, and 13 Shaurya Chakras, one of them posthumous. It also features one Bar to the Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including five posthumous awards, six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
In addition, the President approved 301 military decorations for personnel of the Army, Navy and Air Force. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bar to Sena Medals (Distinguished), 43 Sena Medals (Distinguished), eight Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished), 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished), and 135 Vishisht Seva Medals.
The President also approved awards for distinguished members of the Indian Coast Guard. These include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, President’s Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished Service, gallantry medals including posthumous honours, the Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and several Tatrakshak Medals for gallantry and meritorious service.