President Droupadi Murmu presented 51 Gallantry Awards during Phase I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony as the solemn corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan echoed with stories of raw courage. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh graced the event and paid tribute to outstanding courage across the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State Police departments.
This year’s awards showcase a strategic blend of military and scientific landmarks, with Kirti Chakra awarded to Indian Air Force test pilot and Gaganyaan astronaut-designate, Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair. The Gallantry awards are for outstanding action in high-risk security, space training, and counter-insurgency operations across India.
Official List of Gallantry Awards Conferred by President Murmu
The Ministry of Defence announced a meticulous selection of 51 medals to honor both living heroes and those who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The ceremony saw the distribution of three prominent categories of peacetime and wartime gallantry decorations.
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Award Category
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Total Winners
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Living Recipients
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Posthumous Honors
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Kirti Chakra (Peacetime)
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07
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05
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02
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Vir Chakra (Wartime/Operational)
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15
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12
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03
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Shaurya Chakra (Peacetime)
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29
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28
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01
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The operations spanned close-quarter combat in Jammu and Kashmir, anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, and historic deep-sea maritime achievements like the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition.
Key Kirti Chakra Winners in the 2026 Gallantry Awards List
The Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime Gallantry award in India, was awarded to people displaying indomitable grit:
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Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair: The prominent Gaganyaan astronaut was recognized for his exceptional leadership and devotion during specialized space training and the backup operations for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.
Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A (34 Rashtriya Rifles): Honored for eliminating a hardcore terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir despite sustaining severe operational injuries.
Major Arshdeep Singh (1 Assam Rifles): Awarded for showing conspicuous bravery during intense counter-insurgency operations.
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba (2 PARA Special Forces) and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo (4 PARA Special Forces): Decorated for their exceptional tactical execution in hostile environments.
Moving Posthumous Honors That Moved the Nation
There were highly emotional moments during the ceremony, and President Murmu broke official protocol to personally console the grieving families of the fallen heroes. The families of Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar (Mahar Regiment/1 Rashtriya Rifles) and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari (Army Service Corps/1 Sikkim Scouts) were also awarded Kirti Chakras posthumously for their supreme sacrifices.
Meanwhile, BSF bravehearts Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham were posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra for guarding the international borders of the country at the cost of their lives.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony stands as a poignant reminder of the heavy price paid for India's internal and sovereign peace. From the heights of space exploration to the treacherous muddy terrains of anti-terror operations, these gallantry awards reflect the highest standards of Indian military traditions and unwavering service to the motherland.