Republic Day-2026: Shubhanshu Shukla will be awarded Ashoka Chakra
On Sunday, a day before Republic Day-2026, the central government announced Gallantry Awards and Service Medals. Astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will be awarded the Ashok Chakra.
Three officers will receive the Kirti Chakra and 13 will be awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
Army Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Dholeshwar Subba, and Air Force Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra.
Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, a test pilot, and an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25, 2025, as part of NASA's Axiom Mission. He spent 18 days on the ISS. He is the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. He is also involved in the Gaganyaan mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla is originally from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He received his early education at City Montessori School in Aliganj, Lucknow. After completing his 12th grade, he cleared the National Defence Academy (NDA) entrance exam and earned his graduation degree from there.
This year, 982 personnel from the police, fire brigade, home guard, civil defense, and correctional services will be honored for their meritorious service. This includes 125 gallantry medals.
The highest number of gallantry medals, 45, have been awarded to personnel deployed in the Jammu and Kashmir operation theatre. The operation theatre refers to the area or region where long-term operations against terrorism, infiltration, and law and order issues are conducted.
35 personnel from Naxal-affected areas and 5 personnel deployed in the Northeast region have also been awarded these medals. Four rescue workers from the fire brigade service have also been selected for gallantry medals.