Context: On the eve of Republic Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved the conferment of Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards on personnel of the Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force, recognising acts of exceptional courage in operations and sustained distinguished service across key operational and command appointments.
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been honoured with the Ashok Chakra, the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The honour follows his ground-breaking mission to the International Space Station in June 2025.
- In the Chakra series of gallantry awards, the President approved the conferment of one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, and 12 Shaurya Chakras, including one Shaurya Chakra (posthumous). The gallantry awards include one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry) and 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), of which five are posthumous. Additionally, six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) were awarded to Navy personnel and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) to Air Force personnel.
- The President also approved a total of 301 military decorations to Armed Forces and other personnel. These include 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, four Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, nine Yudh Seva Medals, two Bars to Sena Medals (Distinguished), 43 Sena Medals (Distinguished), eight Nao Sena Medals (Distinguished), and 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Distinguished).
- Further, 135 Vishisht Seva Medals and 98 Mention-in-Despatches were approved for personnel involved in various operations, including Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid, and Operation Meghdoot, as well as rescue and casualty evacuation tasks. Of these, five mentions are posthumous, with 81 awards going to personnel of the Army.