President Approves 78 Gallantry Awards Ahead of 80th Independence Day (2026)
The President approved a total of 78 gallantry awards for 2026, comprising 9 Kirti Chakras, 19 Shaurya Chakras, 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), and other military honors; 13 of these are posthumous awards. Nine personnel were honored with the Kirti Chakra (7 posthumously), while the 19 Shaurya Chakras included one posthumous award. Personnel from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and Central Armed Police Forces were conferred these various gallantry awards. Additionally, 89 'Mention-in-Despatches' were approved, covering 75 Army, 4 Navy, and 10 Air Force personnel.
The total of 78 awards includes 9 Kirti Chakras, 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, 5 Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Of these, 13 awards have been conferred posthumously.
Special Significance of the Kirti Chakra
The Kirti Chakra is one of India's premier peacetime gallantry awards. In 2026, the Kirti Chakra was awarded to 9 individuals, 7 of whom received it posthumously. Recipients include personnel from the Army and the Ministry of Home Affairs, such as Lieutenant Colonel Maneo Francis PF, Major Jitendra Rathi, and Havildar Gajendra Singh.
Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal
Nineteen Shaurya Chakras were awarded, including one posthumously. Additionally, 5 personnel were awarded the Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), and 36 personnel received the Sena Medal (Gallantry). These awards recognize extraordinary courage, devotion to duty, and gallantry displayed under perilous circumstances within the military awards framework.
Participation of the Three Armed Services and CAPFs
The awards were not limited to the Indian Army alone. Three personnel from the Indian Navy were awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), and five personnel from the Indian Air Force received the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry). Additionally, personnel associated with the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Ministry of Home Affairs were honored with the Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
Mention-in-Despatches: Honoring 89 Personnel
The President also approved 89 'Mention-in-Despatches'. These include 75 personnel from the Indian Army, 4 from the Indian Navy, and 10 from the Indian Air Force. These honors relate to various military operations and actions, including Operation Rakshak, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid, Operation Meghdoot, Operation Snow Leopard, Operation Chakravyuh, and others.
Significance for UPSC
This news is important for GS Paper-III, covering topics such as Defence & Internal Security, Governance, and Current Affairs. It can form the basis for UPSC questions regarding India's gallantry award system, peacetime military honors, the roles of the Armed Forces and CAPFs, counter-terrorism/counter-insurgency operations, and national security. Key figures to remember: 78 gallantry awards + 89 'Mention-in-Despatches' = a total of 167 honors; notably, 13 of the 78 gallantry awards were conferred posthumously.
