New Delhi, August 15: On the eve of Independence Day 2026, President Droupadi Murmu has approved 78 gallantry awards to honor heroes who have demonstrated exceptional bravery, courage, and supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation. Among these awards, 13 are posthumous recognitions. Additionally, the President has sanctioned 89 mentions-in-dispatches, which include 75 personnel from the Indian Army, 4 from the Indian Navy, and 10 from the Indian Air Force.
According to a list released by the Rashtrapati Bhavan, this year’s gallantry awards comprise 9 Kirti Chakras, of which 7 are awarded posthumously; 1 Shaurya Chakra with a bar; 19 Shaurya Chakras, including 1 posthumous award; 5 Sena Medals for gallantry with a bar; and 36 Sena Medals for gallantry, of which 5 are posthumous. The awards also include 3 Navy Medals for gallantry and 5 Air Force Medals for gallantry.
Nine brave individuals have been honored with the Kirti Chakra this year for their extraordinary valor and courage in service to the nation. The recipients include:
– Lieutenant Colonel Manio Francis, PF, SC, 21 Para Special Forces
– Major Jitendra Rathi, 2 Para Special Forces
– Havildar Gajendra Singh, 2 Para Special Forces (posthumous)
– Jagbir Singh, Head Constable (posthumous)
– Jaswant Singh, SG Constable (posthumous)
– Balwinder Singh, SG Constable (posthumous)
– Tariq Hussain, SG Constable (posthumous)
– Bashir Ahmed, Head Constable (posthumous)
– Sunil Kumar, Inspector STF (posthumous)
This year, gallantry awards such as the Shaurya Chakra and the Bar to Shaurya Chakra have been awarded to soldiers who have displayed unmatched courage. Major Aditya Pratap Singh, SC, SM, from the Rajputana Rifles, has received the Bar to the Shaurya Chakra.
In total, 19 individuals have been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, including 11 from the Army, 1 from the Navy, 1 from the Air Force, and 6 from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Army’s recipients include:
– Major Paramveer, the Garhwal Rifles
– Major Tarun Vasudevan, the Corps of Engineers
– Major Keshav Kumar, 12 Dogra
– Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal, 21 Grenadiers
– Major Bipin Kumar, the Corps of Signals
– Naib Subedar Shankar Ram, 3 Assam Rifles
– Naib Subedar Dabbal Singh Bisht, 21 Para Special Forces
– Havildar Jagat Singh, 4 Para Special Forces
– Lance Naik Narendra Sindhu, the Rajputana Rifles (posthumous)
– Lance Naik Kapil Dev, the Dogra Regiment
– Sepoy Jaswinder Singh, 7 Sikh Light Infantry
For the Navy, Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar has been recognized, while Squadron Leader Sudhir Kumar from the Air Force has also been honored.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has awarded:
– Dheeraj Singh Katoch, DSP
– Ajay Singh Chib, Inspector
– Sukveer Singh, DY SP
– Niyaz Ahmed, Assistant Sub-Inspector
– Anjani Kumar, Deputy Commandant
– Deepak Sah, Constable
This year, 5 Army personnel have been awarded the “Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)” for their extraordinary courage and valor, all from the Army. The recipients include:
– Major D.S. Paosho, SM, 7 Madras
– Major Anuj Mahajan, SM, the Mechanized Infantry
– Major Krishna Kant, SM, 21 Para Special Forces
– Subedar Ramesh Kumar, SM, 159 Infantry Battalion
– Naib Subedar Rajendra Singh, SM, 2 Para Special Forces
In total, 36 Army officers have been awarded the “Sena Medal (Gallantry)” this year, recognizing their exceptional bravery in service to the nation.
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