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Gallantry Awards 2026
Gallantry Awards 2026
The Gallantry Awards in India represent the highest state decorations, instituted by the Government of India to recognize the extraordinary courage, self-sacrifice, and bravery of personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and state/union territory police forces.
These prestigious awards are announced twice annually—on Republic Day and Independence Day—to honor individuals who display total disregard for personal safety in the line of duty.
Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-I)
On June 8, 2026, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu presided over the Phase-I Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. This event honored 51 personnel for their exceptional service.
2026 Award Statistics (Phase-I)
|
Award Category
|
Total Awarded
|
Living Recipients
|
Posthumous
|
|
Kirti Chakra
|
07
|
05
|
02
|
|
Vir Chakra
|
15
|
12
|
03
|
|
Shaurya Chakra
|
29
|
28
|
01
|
Notable Highlights
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Gaganyaan Recognition: A significant highlight of the 2026 awards was the conferment of the Kirti Chakra upon Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair. A distinguished test pilot and one of the four designated "Gagannauts" for India's upcoming human spaceflight mission, he was honored for his exceptional devotion and professional excellence.
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Naval Achievements: Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K. and Roopa A. of the Indian Navy were awarded the Shaurya Chakra in recognition of their courageous and pioneering efforts during the Navika Sagar Parikrama II expedition.
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Operational Context: The awards recognized actions across diverse landscapes, including high-stakes counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, and historic maritime and aviation feats.
Understanding India’s Gallantry Award Hierarchy
The awards are broadly categorized into two sets based on the nature of the situation:
1. Wartime Gallantry Awards
Awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield.
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Param Vir Chakra (PVC): The highest wartime military decoration.
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Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): The second-highest wartime decoration.
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Vir Chakra: The third-highest wartime decoration.
2. Peacetime Gallantry Awards
Awarded for acts of courage away from the battlefield.
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Ashoka Chakra: The highest peacetime military decoration (equivalent to the Param Vir Chakra).
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Kirti Chakra: The second-highest peacetime decoration.
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Shaurya Chakra: The third-highest peacetime decoration.
Historical Context
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The Wartime Trilogy: Instituted on January 26, 1950 (Republic Day), these were made effective retrospectively from August 15, 1947.
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The Peacetime Trilogy: Originally introduced on January 4, 1952, as Ashoka Chakra Classes I, II, and III. These were officially renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra in January 1967.
These awards remain a testament to the enduring spirit of service and the supreme sacrifice made by India’s defenders to ensure the nation's safety and integrity.
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