President clears Republic Day gallantry honours for 70, including Ashoka Chakra for astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
On the eve of Republic Day 2026, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel, including an Ashoka Chakra for IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. The list also includes Kirti Chakras, Shaurya Chakras and multiple service medals, with several honours awarded posthumously.
NEW DELHI: On the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry decorations for 70 members of the Armed Forces, recognising acts of courage and exceptional service across operations and duties over the past year.
The headline name on the list is Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra. Reports linked the honour to his role as an astronaut on the Axiom-4 mission, which included India’s first visit to the International Space Station, a high-risk operation that drew national attention.
Alongside the Ashoka Chakra, the list features three Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras, reflecting a wide spread of recognition from the highest peacetime gallantry award to frontline bravery. Officials also approved a Bar to the Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
A notable element of the announcement is the inclusion of posthumous awards, underlining that some of the recognised actions involved ultimate sacrifice. The awards, announced annually around Republic Day, serve as a public record of bravery and duty as India marks the national occasion.
Beyond individual recognition, the Republic Day honours are also a message about institutional capability: the armed forces’ willingness to acknowledge both combat-linked and specialised missions, and to place them on the same national stage of commemoration.