Gallantry awards: President Murmu honours 51 winners; Gaganyaan astronaut among Kirti Chakra recipients

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred 07 Kirti Chakras, including two posthumous, 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumous and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous, to personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces and State/UT Police during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.The awards were presented for acts of raw courage, unparalleled bravery and total disregard to personal safety in the line of duty, recognising exceptional service across operational theatres.The Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred on seven personnel, while 15 Vir Chakras and 29 Shaurya Chakras were also awarded for acts of courage and operational excellence.The honours included personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Central Armed Police Forces and State Police, reflecting a wide spectrum of counter-insurgency, combat and security operations.Several awards went to personnel from elite formations such as the Para Special Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, Assam Rifles and CRPF, along with officers involved in high-risk missions across difficult terrains.Among the Kirti Chakra recipients was Indian astronaut-designate and Indian Air Force officer Group Captain (now Air Commodore) Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, call sign “Papa”, one of the four selected Gagannauts for India’s first human spaceflight mission Gaganyaan.The Kirti Chakra recognises courage, devotion to duty and distinguished service rendered under challenging conditions.The ceremony also honoured personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice, with awards presented posthumously to families of martyrs.A total of two Kirti Chakras, three Vir Chakras and one Shaurya Chakra were awarded posthumously, underscoring the risks faced by security personnel in the line of duty.The Defence Investiture Ceremony is held annually to honour gallantry and distinguished service, highlighting the commitment and sacrifice of India’s armed forces and security personnel in safeguarding national security.