President Droupadi Murmu presented 51 gallantry awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including seven Kirti Chakras. Notable recipients included IAF pilot and Gaganyatri Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair for spaceflight contributions, alongside battlefield heroes and maritime pioneers who demonstrated exceptional bravery and self-sacrifice in the line of duty
NEW DELHI — President Droupadi Murmu on Monday presented India's highly prestigious gallantry awards during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Honoring 51 distinct security and aerospace personnel, the President conferred seven Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras to members of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and state police units.
The honors recognized acts of exceptional courage, indomitable bravery, and an absolute disregard for personal safety in the line of duty. Among the primary recipients of the Kirti Chakra—India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award—was Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and a selected astronaut-designate (Gaganyatri) for the nation's landmark Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
Cosmic Courage and Ground-Level Combat Honored
The ceremony highlighted a unique crossover between terrestrial military valor and high-risk scientific frontier missions. Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, known within the elite aviator circles by his call sign “Papa,” received the Kirti Chakra for his distinguished career as a test pilot and his stellar contributions to India's human spaceflight ambitions. He previously served as the backup astronaut for the international Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and remains a core asset for the upcoming independent Gaganyaan orbital flight.
On the counter-insurgency front, multiple battlefield heroes were elevated to the rank of Kirti Chakra awardees for direct tactical engagements:
Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A: Honored for an extraction operation in Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where he successfully eliminated a high-category terrorist despite sustaining grave physical injuries during intense close-quarter gunfire.
Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba: Recognized for his decisive actions with the 2 Para (Special Forces) in Kishtwar, where he neutralized two heavily armed terrorists in hand-to-hand and close-range urban combat.
Major Arshdeep Singh: Awarded for tactical leadership within the 1 Assam Rifles, where he led from the front to neutralize multiple armed insurgent cadres in the Northeast.
Captain Lalrinawma Sailo: Honored for planning and executing a high-stakes special forces operation in Srinagar district that eliminated three hardcore terrorists without civilian collateral damage.
Posthumous Tributes to the Fallen
The ceremony deeply emphasized the supreme sacrifice made by India’s frontline security forces. Two of the seven Kirti Chakras were awarded posthumously to families of soldiers who laid down their lives to safeguard national security.
Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar of the Mahar Regiment (attached to 1 Rashtriya Rifles) was posthumously honored for an anti-terror sweep where he single-handedly neutralized two hidden insurgents before succumbing to mortal bullet wounds. Similarly, Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari of the Army Service Corps (attached to 1 Sikkim Scouts) received the honor posthumously for saving the life of a fellow soldier from a flash-flood river torrent in North Sikkim, sacrificing his own life to ensure his comrade's rescue.
Maritime and Counter-Terror Milestones
Beyond the peacetime Kirti Chakras, President Murmu presented 15 Vir Chakras—primarily recognizing precision operations conducted on May 7, 2025—and 29 Shaurya Chakras.
The Shaurya Chakra list featured exceptional maritime endurance achievements. Navy Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A were decorated for their historic journey in the Navika Sagar Parikrama II, where they sailed over 25,600 nautical miles across the globe, successfully conquering the perilous Drake Passage and becoming the first Indian sailors to reach Point Nemo, the oceanic pole of inaccessibility, via a sailboat.
Official Sources Section
According to official data logs and citations published by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the awards span multiple layers of India's defense framework, including the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and state police wings. All award listings, operational details, and historical citations were vetted and cleared by the Ministry of Defence before being finalized for the Phase-I investiture.
Quote Section
"We are immensely proud of their extraordinary courage, commitment, and selfless service to the nation. Their actions continue to safeguard our borders and inspire future generations," stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an official statement following his attendance at the ceremony alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Why It Matters
The defense investiture signals strong institutional backing for both traditional border defense frameworks and futuristic space operations. For citizens, these awards validate the high operational readiness of the Indian military apparatus and celebrate the human capital powering India's indigenous aerospace programs. It underscores that state honors now actively recognize non-combat risks taken in scientific domains like human spaceflight alongside traditional battlefield heroism.
Key Facts at a Glance
Total Honors: President Murmu presented 51 gallantry awards: 7 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras.
Dual-Domain Hero: IAF Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair received the Kirti Chakra, bridging elite military aviation and the Gaganyaan space mission.
Supreme Sacrifice: Two Kirti Chakras were awarded posthumously to Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari.
Oceanic Milestone: Navy Lt Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A secured Shaurya Chakras for navigating to Point Nemo during their global sailing expedition.
FAQ Section
What is the significance of the Kirti Chakra?
The Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, ranked just below the Ashoka Chakra. It is awarded for conspicuous bravery, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
Why did Gaganyatri Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair receive the award?
Air Commodore Nair was honored for his indomitable spirit, extensive career as a military test pilot, and critical contributions to India's human spaceflight program, including his role as an international backup astronaut for Axiom-4.
Who attended the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026?
The Phase-I ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan was attended by President Droupadi Murmu, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside top brass from the military.
Source: Official defense communiqués from the Ministry of Defence, press registries of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, and operational briefings from the Indian Air Force.
