Gallantry Awards 2026

WHY IN THE NEWS?

• The Occasion: President Droupadi Murmu presented gallantry awards to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/UT Police for their exemplary service in operational theatres.

• Significant Recognition: The ceremony highlighted a wide spectrum of operations, including counter-insurgency, combat, and high-risk security missions.

• Special Highlight: A notable recipient was Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (an Indian Air Force pilot and designated Gaganyaan astronaut), who was awarded the Kirti Chakra.

KEY POINTS:

• Award Breakdown:

  • Kirti Chakra: 07 recipients (including 02 posthumously).

  • Vir Chakra: 15 recipients (including 03 posthumously).

  • Shaurya Chakra: 29 recipients (including 01 posthumously).

• Scope: The awards honor individuals from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary/police forces who demonstrated “total disregard to personal safety in the line of duty”.

• Diverse Missions: Awards were conferred for various acts of valor, ranging from neutralizing armed cadres in close-quarter combat and anti-infiltration operations along the Line of Control to exceptional endurance during maritime expeditions like Navika Sagar Parikrama II.

ABOUT GALLANTRY AWARDS IN INDIA:

• Wartime Gallantry Awards: Awarded for bravery in the presence of the enemy during war or armed conflict.

  • Param Vir Chakra (PVC): The highest wartime gallantry award.

  • Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): The second-highest wartime honor.

  • Vir Chakra: The third-highest wartime honor.

• Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Awarded for acts of valor away from the battlefield, such as counter-terrorism operations, rescue missions, and hazardous duty.

  • Ashoka Chakra: The highest peacetime gallantry award.

  • Kirti Chakra: The second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

  • Shaurya Chakra: The third-highest peacetime gallantry award.