President Murmu Honours 51 Gallantry Award Winners at Defence Ceremony

The Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred on five serving personnel and two soldiers posthumously.

President Droupadi Murmu conferred gallantry awards on 51 personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State and Union Territory Police during the first phase of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday.

The awards were presented to personnel who displayed exceptional courage, outstanding leadership, and remarkable devotion to duty while carrying out challenging operations in difficult circumstances. Several awardees were honoured for acts performed during counter-terrorism missions, security operations, and high-risk military engagements.

The ceremony witnessed the presentation of seven Kirti Chakras, including two awarded posthumously, 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumous honours, and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumous award.

Kirti Chakra Recipients Among Highest Honoured

The Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred on five serving personnel and two soldiers posthumously.

Among the recipients were Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A of the Regiment of Artillery and 34 Rashtriya Rifles, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of 2 Para Special Forces, Major Arshdeep Singh of 1 Assam Rifles, Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair of the Indian Air Force, and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of 4 Para Special Forces.

The two posthumous Kirti Chakras were awarded to Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar of the Mahar Regiment and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari of the Army Service Corps attached to 1 Sikkim Scouts. Their families received the awards on their behalf, honouring the ultimate sacrifice made in service to the nation.

Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra Winners Honoured for Operational Excellence

The Vir Chakra recipients included personnel from the Army, Air Force, and security forces who participated in significant operational missions. Several Indian Air Force pilots were among those recognised, reflecting the role of air operations in national security missions conducted during the year. The Shaurya Chakra awardees included Army officers, Special Forces personnel, Assam Rifles soldiers, Navy officers, CRPF personnel, and police officers who displayed exceptional bravery during anti-terror operations, rescue missions, and security deployments.

Among those honoured were Lieutenant Colonel Neetesh Bharti Shukla, Major Aditya Pratap Singh, Major Ashish Kumar, Wing Commander Abhimanyu Singh, Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar, Captain Yogender Singh Thakur, and several Special Forces soldiers whose actions contributed to the success of critical operations. The ceremony also paid tribute to personnel who received awards posthumously, acknowledging their courage and dedication in the face of grave danger.

The Defence Investiture Ceremony remains one of the country's most significant military honours events, celebrating acts of valour that reflect the highest traditions of service, sacrifice, and commitment to the nation. The gallantry award winners represent the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and police organisations that continue to safeguard the country's security under demanding circumstances.