President Droupadi Murmu presented gallantry awards to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and police forces of various states and Union Territories at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday, May 22.
A total of six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous honours, and 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, were awarded for acts of extraordinary bravery. The awards recognised courageous efforts in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations, and other acts of valor performed without regard for personal safety.
The ceremony was attended by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries.
Among the Kirti Chakra recipients were Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu (Maratha Light Infantry), Major Manjeet (Punjab Regiment), and Rifleman Ravi Kumar (Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry, posthumously). Colonel Manpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent Himayun Bhatt (J&K Police), and Naik Dilawar Khan (National Rifles) were also posthumously honoured with the Kirti Chakra.
The Shaurya Chakra was conferred on officers including Major (now Lieutenant Colonel) Vijay Verma (Rajput Regiment), Wing Commander Vernon Keen, Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav (Indian Navy), Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar, Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo (CRPF), Major CVS Nikhil (Para Special Forces), Commodore Sharad Sinsunwal, Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans, and Sergeant Sanjay Dahi, among others.
Posthumous Shaurya Chakra recipients included Major Ashish Dhonchak, Constable Pradeep Singh, Havildar Rohit Kumar, CRPF personnel Pawan Kumar, Devan C, Vijayan Kutty G (Border Roads Organization), and Captain Deepak Singh (Corps of Signals).
These awards were given in recognition of exceptional bravery in operations across Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, where several high-profile terrorists were neutralized and significant arms caches recovered. Indian Navy personnel were honoured for leading daring anti-piracy and firefighting missions, while Indian Air Force officers were cited for flying into secure zones during emergencies to ensure civilian safety. CRPF personnel also distinguished themselves in operations in Maoist-affected regions.
These honours stand as a testament to the unwavering courage, commitment, and supreme sacrifice of India's security personnel in safeguarding the nation.
The Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are both prestigious Indian gallantry awards given for acts of bravery during peacetime. The Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, ranked above the Shaurya Chakra, and is awarded for exceptional and often life-threatening acts of courage, typically involving extreme danger. The highest peacetime gallantry award in India is the Ashoka Chakra.
Here is the complete list of the award recipients.
