In News:

The President of India approved 78 Gallantry Awards in 2026 for personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), including 13 posthumous awards. The awards recogniseexceptional courage, valour and sacrifice in the face of the enemy or while performing duties in challenging circumstances.

2026 Gallantry Awards

The 2026 list includes:

• 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)
• 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry)

In addition, 89 Mention-in-Despatches were approved—75 Army, 4 Navy and 10 Air Force personnel.

Historical Background

• India's gallantry awards are broadly divided into wartime and peacetime awards. The highest wartime decorations are the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, while the principal peacetime decorations are the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.
• The peacetime series was originally instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class I, II and III and was subsequently renamed in 1967 as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra.

Order of Precedence

The order of precedence among the major gallantry awards is:Param Vir Chakra → Ashoka Chakra → Maha Vir Chakra → Kirti Chakra → Vir Chakra → Shaurya Chakra

This distinction is important for Prelims, particularly because Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award, while Param Vir Chakra is the highest wartime gallantry award.

What is a “Bar” to a Gallantry Award?

• A Bar is awarded when a person who has already received a gallantry decoration performs another act of gallantry deserving of the same award.
• Thus, a Bar does not represent a separate category of gallantry award; it indicates subsequent recognition for another qualifying act of bravery. A miniature replica of the decoration is added to the ribbon to signify the Bar. The original award as well as a Bar may be conferred posthumously.

Conferment Process

• Recommendations for gallantry awards originate from the concerned military units and formations, and from the relevant CAPF/police organisations. They move through the prescribed chain of command and are examined through the institutional award mechanism, including the Central Honours and Awards Committee.
• The final approval is given by the President of India. Gallantry awards are generally announced twice a year—on Republic Day and Independence Day.

Mention-in-Despatches

Mention-in-Despatches (MiD) is a separate form of recognition for distinguished or gallant service in connection with military operations. It should not be confused with the six principal gallantry decorations.

In News:

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 51 Gallantry Awards during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the recipients of the Kirti Chakra was Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an Indian Air Force officer and one of the four astronaut-designates selected for the Gaganyaan mission.

About Gallantry Awards

Gallantry Awards are India's highest civilian military decorations awarded to personnel of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and State/UT Police Forces for exceptional courage, bravery, and sacrifice in the line of duty.

These awards are announced twice annually:

• Republic Day
• Independence Day

Categories of Gallantry Awards

India's gallantry awards are broadly divided into wartime and peacetime categories.

Wartime Gallantry Awards (Instituted in 1950)

1. Param Vir Chakra – Highest wartime gallantry award.
2. Maha Vir Chakra – Second-highest wartime gallantry award.
3. Vir Chakra – Third-highest wartime gallantry award.

These were instituted on 26 January 1950 with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.

Peacetime Gallantry Awards

Originally instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class I, II and III, they were renamed in 1967 as:

1. Ashoka Chakra – Highest peacetime gallantry award.
2. Kirti Chakra – Second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
3. Shaurya Chakra – Third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-I)

A total of 51 Gallantry Awards were presented:

• Kirti Chakra: 7 awards (including 2 posthumous)
• Vir Chakra: 15 awards (including 3 posthumous)
• Shaurya Chakra: 29 awards (including 1 posthumous)

Significance

Gallantry Awards recognize extraordinary courage in combat and non-combat situations and serve as a symbol of national gratitude towards personnel who display exceptional devotion to duty and sacrifice.

The inclusion of a Gaganyaan astronaut-designate among the awardees also highlights the growing integration of India's defence, aviation, and space sectors in advancing national capabilities.