On the eve of Republic Day 2026, India has announced the gallantry and service awards for armed forces personnel, police, fire service, home guard and civil defence, and correctional service personnel. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been conferred the Ashoka Chakra, the nation's highest peacetime military decoration. In addition to the Ashoka Chakra, 70 other individuals have been recognized for their exceptional bravery and service.
Group Captain Shukla's Ashoka Chakra recognizes his contribution to the space program through his journey to and stay at the International Space Station (ISS). In June of last year, he became the second Indian to travel to space and the first to set foot on the ISS as part of the Axiom mission.
The Ashoka Chakra is awarded for "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice". It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra. Instituted in 1952, the Ashoka Chakra recognizes acts of extraordinary bravery, valor, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. As of January 2026, the Ashoka Chakra has been awarded to 87 individuals, including members of the military, police forces, and civilians. Of these, 68 have been posthumous recipients.
The medal is circular, made of gold gilt, and features the Ashoka Chakra (a 24-spoke wheel) in the center. It is suspended from a green ribbon with a central saffron stripe.
In addition to the Ashoka Chakra, President Droupadi Murmu has approved gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel. Group Captain PB Nair, one of the four astronauts designated for the Gaganyaan mission, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra.
A total of 982 personnel from Police, Fire Service, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD), and Correctional Services have been awarded gallantry and service medals on the occasion of Republic Day 2026. 125 persons will be awarded the Medal for Gallantry (GM), with 121 from the police force and four from the Fire Services. The Medal for Gallantry (GM) is awarded for rare conspicuous acts of gallantry and conspicuous acts of gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals.
Out of the 125 Gallantry Awards, 35 personnel are from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 45 personnel are from the Jammu & Kashmir region, 5 personnel are from the North-East, and 40 personnel form other regions.
101 President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) will be awarded, with 89 to the Police Service, 5 to the Fire Service, 3 to Civil Defence and Home Guard Service, and 4 to the Correctional Service. 756 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) will be awarded, with 664 to the Police Service, 34 to the Fire Service, 33 to Civil Defence & Home Guard Service, and 25 to the Correctional Service.
The awards recognize the bravery and service of individuals from various fields, including social work, literature and education, healthcare, public service and community welfare. The awardees include individuals who have worked at the grassroots level for decades, many from marginalized communities.
