Republic Day 2026: Ashoka Chakra for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla among 70 gallantry awards
President Droupadi Murmu approved gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous, with the Ashoka Chakra going to IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Summary
On the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the President approved gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, six of them posthumous: one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras (one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry, five posthumous), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). She also cleared military decorations to 301 personnel. The Ashoka Chakra went to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the IAF. Kirti Chakras went to Major Arshdeep Singh (1 Assam Rifles), Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba (2 PARA SF) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (IAF). Navy officers Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A received the Shaurya Chakra.
Key facts
- Gallantry awards
- 70, including six posthumous
- Ashoka Chakra
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (IAF)
- Kirti Chakra (3)
- Maj Arshdeep Singh, Nb Sub Doleshwar Subba, Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
- Shaurya Chakra
- 13, including one posthumous; includes Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A
- Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- 44, including five posthumous
- Other decorations
- 301 personnel
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Who was awarded the Ashoka Chakra on the eve of Republic Day 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
PIB (Defence): the lone Ashoka Chakra went to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the IAF; the other three received the Kirti Chakra.
How many Kirti Chakras were approved on the eve of Republic Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Three
PIB: the 70 gallantry awards include one Ashoka Chakra, three Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras.
Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A of the Indian Navy were among the Republic Day 2026 recipients of which award?
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Correct answer: C — Shaurya Chakra
PIB (Defence): Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A (Navy) are listed under the Shaurya Chakra.