The Centre recently conferred the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, upon Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Shukla is recognized as the second Indian to travel to space and the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), having participated in the 18-day Axion-4 mission. This mission involved collaboration among the US-based private firm Axiom Space, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This recognition for Shukla's space exploration follows 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's flight aboard the Russian Soyuz-11 space mission.
In addition to this prestigious honor, President Droupadi Murmu approved a total of 301 military decorations and gallantry awards for 70 armed forces personnel. These awards include three Kirti Chakra, 13 Shaurya Chakra (one posthumous), one Bar to Sena Medal (gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (gallantry), and two Vayu Sena Medals. A total of six of these awards were approved posthumously.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/republic-day-2026-group-captain-shubhanshu-shukla-gets-ashoka-chakra-70-others-honoured/articleshow/127485996.cms