President approves 78 gallantry awards including 9 Kirti Chakras on eve of Independence Day 2026
President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 gallantry awards, 13 of them posthumous, and 89 Mention-in-Despatches for the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day 2026.
Summary
President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, to personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day 2026, along with 89 Mention-in-Despatches. The awards comprise 9 Kirti Chakras (7 posthumous), 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras (1 posthumous), 5 Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry) (5 posthumous), 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Kirti Chakra awardees include Lt Col Maneo Francis and Major Jitendra Rathee of the Para (Special Forces), and Havildar Gajendra Singh (posthumous).
Key facts
- Total
- 78 gallantry awards (13 posthumous) + 89 Mention-in-Despatches
- Kirti Chakra
- 9 (7 posthumous)
- Shaurya Chakra
- 19 (1 posthumous) + 1 Bar
- Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- 36 (5 posthumous) + 5 Bars
- Nao Sena / Vayu Sena Medal (G)
- 3 / 5
- Approved by
- President Droupadi Murmu
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many gallantry awards did the President approve for the Defence Forces and CAPFs on the eve of Independence Day 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 78
The President approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, along with 89 Mention-in-Despatches.
How many Kirti Chakras were approved among the Independence Day 2026 gallantry awards?
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Correct answer: C — 9
Nine Kirti Chakras were approved, seven of them posthumous.
Consider the following statements about the Independence Day 2026 gallantry awards: 1. Most of the Kirti Chakras were awarded posthumously. 2. The awards included more Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) than Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry). Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct: seven of the nine Kirti Chakras are posthumous, and the awards included 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) against 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry).