Context:On June 08, 2026, President Smt Droupadi Murmu conferred prestigious Gallantry Awards at Rashtrapati Bhawan during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026. A total of 51 brave personnel from the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State/UT Police were honored for display of raw courage and unparalleled bravery.
Awards Conferred:
Kirti Chakra: 07 (including 02 posthumous)
Vir Chakra: 15 (including 03 posthumous)
Shaurya Chakra: 29 (including 01 posthumous)
Group Captain Animesh Patni is awarded “VIR CHAKRA” (Baran District)
Awardees who were in news:
- IAF Captain Animesh Patni’
He was the officer commanding the S-400 unit that played a key part in the operation sindoor(according to media reports)
operation: the officer was stationed at a forward airbase, commanding a strategic Surface to Air Missile (SAM) squadron. The officer during the operation supervised surveillance over a very large-area and controlled two firing units. His unwavering focus, unrelenting drive, and ability to devise innovative solutions to complex problems ensured substantial losses of opposing forces while safeguarding his equipment, even in the face of intense fire. During the Ops, as Commanding Officer, his unit engaged multiple aerial targets.
- Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Kirti Chakra)
He is a test pilot and a Category-A flying instructor with the Indian Air Force (IAF), logging over 3,000 hours of flight time across platforms like Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, and Jaguar.
The Citation: He was awarded the Kirti Chakra in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to India's human spaceflight program. He is one of the four astronaut-designates selected for India's premier human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. He also trained rigorously at NASA's Johnson Space Center as the backup astronaut for the historic Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
- Major Ashish Kumar (Shaurya Chakra)
He is an elite commando and operational officer from the 7th battalion the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).
The Citation: He was awarded the Shaurya Chakra after identifying two heavily armed terrorists. The officer leading his squad anticipated the likely routes of transit used by the terrorists and deployed 96 hours’ surveillance cum ambush in the densely forested and mountainous terrain. Major Ashish Kumar’s leadership and bravery ensured elimination of two hardcore terrorists including a, Category A++ terrorist who was responsible for numerous attacks on Security Forces in Jammu region and Kashmir valley.
- Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu (Vir Chakra)
He serves as the Commanding Officer No. 17 "Golden Arrows" Squadron, which operates India’s advanced Rafale fighter jets.
The Citation: He was awarded the wartime Vir Chakra. As the Commanding Officer, Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu displayed resolute leadership and unwavering dedication to duty in a complex and high-stakes combat environment with disregard to personal safety
- Inspector Laxman Kewat (Shaurya Chakra)
Background: He is one of Chhattisgarh Police's most renowned anti-insurgency commanders, credited with operating in the heavily dense Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) zones of Bastar.
The Operation: On April 16, 2024, he co-led a massive operation in the Kalpar hills of Kanker, Chhattisgarh.
The Citation: He received the Shaurya Chakra for his heroic response when his team of nearly 200 security personnel was ambushed by armed Maoists. Displaying sharp tactical leadership, he fought through the ambush, safely evacuated four wounded jawans, and successfully oversaw the neutralization of many Maoists.
For full list of awardee: visit : https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2270406®=3&lang=1
1. Classification of Gallantry Awards
India’s gallantry awards are broadly divided into two distinct categories:
A. WAR-Time Gallantry Awards : 1. Param Vir Chakra (Highest) ,Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra
B. Peace-Time Gallantry Awards : Ashoka Chakra (Highest), Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra
Mains Practice Question
Q. Evaluate the evolving nature of internal security threats that necessitate sub-conventional warfare readiness among India's armed forces. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Sources:
https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2026/jun/doc202668887101.pdf
https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/s400-missiles-operation-sindoor-iaf/2883391/