NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JUNE 9
In a moving celebration of courage and sacrifice, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 07 Kirti Chakras (including two posthumous), 15 Vir Chakras (including three posthumous) and 29 Shaurya Chakras (including one posthumous) during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
The gallantry awards were presented to personnel from the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State and Union Territory Police for displaying exceptional courage, indomitable spirit and complete disregard for personal safety while performing their duties in some of the nation’s most challenging operational environments.
- Seven Kirti Chakras, Fifteen Vir Chakras and Twenty-Nine Shaurya Chakras Conferred in a Stirring Tribute to Extraordinary Courage
- Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair among Kirti Chakra awardees as Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrates acts of supreme valour
- Posthumous honours underscore the ultimate sacrifice made by soldiers, police personnel and CAPF heroes in service of the nation
- Gallantry decorations recognise unmatched bravery, devotion to duty and fearless commitment to safeguarding India’s sovereignty and security
The prestigious ceremony stood as a tribute to India’s bravehearts whose extraordinary acts of valour continue to inspire the nation and strengthen its resolve.
Among the distinguished recipients was Indian Air Force Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, astronaut-designate for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Programme, who received the Kirti Chakra. Nair had earlier served as the backup astronaut for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station in June 2025, adding another remarkable chapter to his illustrious service career.
Kirti Chakra: India’s Second-Highest Peacetime Gallantry Honour
The Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra, recognises exceptional courage, devotion to duty and distinguished service under extraordinary circumstances.
The Vir Chakra honours acts of gallantry during wartime operations, while the Shaurya Chakra acknowledges exceptional bravery during peacetime. These decorations are conferred upon personnel from the Armed Forces, CAPFs and State or Union Territory Police forces.
Heroes Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Among the seven Kirti Chakra awardees, Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari were honoured posthumously for their supreme sacrifice.
Other Kirti Chakra recipients included Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, Major Arshdeep Singh, Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo, each recognised for displaying exceptional courage under demanding operational conditions.
The ceremony also paid homage to personnel awarded posthumously with the Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, reflecting the nation’s eternal gratitude to those who laid down their lives while protecting the country’s integrity and security.
Ceremony Reflects India’s Gratitude to Its Guardians
The gallantry awards for 2026 had been announced ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations, with the Defence Investiture Ceremony serving as the nation’s highest platform for formally honouring acts of unparalleled bravery.
Held at the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan, the investiture ceremony symbolised India’s enduring respect for its soldiers, air warriors, sailors and security personnel whose courage continues to safeguard the nation against every challenge.
Awardees Honoured During Phase-I Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026
Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra recipients included Inspector Shri Laxman Kewat and Inspector Shri Rameshwar Prasad Deshmukh (MHA); Lieutenant Colonel Neetesh Bharti Shukla; Major Aditya Pratap Singh, SM; Major Ashish Kumar; Constable/GD Sanjay Tiwari and Constable/GD Feda Hussain Dar; Assistant Commandant (now Deputy Commandant) Mohd Shafiq; Lieutenant Commander Suraj Prashar; Ram Goyal (Sea II, now LS); Constable/GD Saddam Hussain; Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson; Rifleman Bhoj Ram Sahu; Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhimanyu Singh; Major Bhargav Kalita; Major Leishangthem Deepak Singh; Major Anshul Baltoo; Major Shivkant Yadav; Subedar P H Moses; Major Vivek; Rifleman Manglem Sang Vaiphei; Lieutenant Colonel Ghatage Aditya Shrikumar; Captain Yogender Singh Thakur; Subedar Shamsher Singh; Lance Naik (now Naik) Rahul Singh; Rifleman Dhurba Jyoti Dutta; and Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A.
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra awardees included Colonel Koshank Lamba; Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu; Group Captain Manish Arora, SC; Group Captain Animesh Patni; Group Captain Kunal Kalra; Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Joy Chandra; Lieutenant Colonel Sushil Bisht; Squadron Leader (now Wing Commander) Sarthak Kumar; Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh; Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik; Flight Lieutenant (now Squadron Leader) Aarshveer Singh Thakur; and Naib Subedar Satish Kumar.
Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra recipients were Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A; Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba; Major Arshdeep Singh; Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair; and Captain Lalrinawma Sailo.
Posthumous Gallantry Awards
Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous):
Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand.
Vir Chakra (Posthumous):
Sub Inspector (GD) Mohd Imteyaj, Constable/GD Deepak Chingakham and Rifleman Sunil Kumar.
Kirti Chakra (Posthumous):
Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 once again reaffirmed that the courage of India’s uniformed personnel remains the nation’s greatest shield, with every gallantry decoration narrating a story of sacrifice, resilience and unwavering commitment to duty.H
