51 Gallantry Awards: President Droupadi Murmu gave 51 gallantry awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan on June 8, 2026 during Phase I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026. The official count was 07 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras. These medals went to people from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State or Union Territory police for brave work done in very hard situations. The ceremony was also attended by the Vice President of India, the Prime Minister, and the Defence Minister.
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“President Murmu honouring the Gallantry Award 2026 winners. (Image Credit: All India Radio)” was the kind of moment people saw on the day, as the event focused on real courage and duty. The government said these awards were given for raw courage, strong bravery, and total care for the safety of others during duty.
| Award Category | Total Winners | Living Recipients | Posthumous Honors |
| Kirti Chakra (Peacetime) | 07 | 05 | 02 |
| Vir Chakra (Wartime/Operational) | 15 | 12 | 03 |
| Shaurya Chakra (Peacetime) | 29 | 28 | 01 |
Names that Stood Out in the List
Kirti Chakra Awardees
- Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair: He is an Indian Air Force test pilot and Gaganyaan astronaut-designate. He got the Kirti Chakra for strong leadership and full dedication during space training. He also helped in backup work for the Axiom-4 mission.
- Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A: He served in 34 Rashtriya Rifles. He was honoured for brave action in Jammu and Kashmir. He killed a hardcore terrorist even after getting badly hurt in the operation.
- Major Arshdeep Singh: He served in 1 Assam Rifles. He got the Kirti Chakra for showing great courage in counter-insurgency work.
- Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba: He served in 2 PARA Special Forces and was recognised for strong tactical skill in dangerous and hostile conditions.
- Captain Lalrinawma Sailo: He served in 4 PARA Special Forces. He received the award for brave action and good operational work.
Posthumous Kirti Chakra Recipients
- Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar: He served in Mahar Regiment and 1 Rashtriya Rifles. He was given the Kirti Chakra after death for making the supreme sacrifice in duty.
- Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari: He served in Army Service Corps and 1 Sikkim Scouts. He was honoured after death for bravery and selfless service to the nation.
Brave Acts on Land, Sea, and Border
|| 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 ||
Delhi: Captain Lalrinawma Sailo of 4 PARA (Special Forces) conferred with the Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu @rashtrapatibhvn pic.twitter.com/9aF74bZx6t
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 8, 2026
The ceremony also remembered people who gave their lives in service. Sepoy Janjal Pravin Prabhakar and Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari were given Kirti Chakras posthumously for their supreme sacrifice. BSF personnel Sub-Inspector Mohd Imteyaj and Constable Deepak Chingakham were given Vir Chakras posthumously for guarding the border till the end. Another posthumous honour went to Rifleman Sunil Kumar.
The Ministry of Defence said the operations covered many kinds of danger, including close fighting in Jammu and Kashmir, anti-Naxal work in Chhattisgarh, and the Navika Sagar Parikrama II sea mission.
