स्वातंत्र्यदिनाच्या पूर्वसंध्येला राष्ट्रपती द्रौपदी मुर्मू...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 15 August 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

On the eve of India's 80th Independence Day on August 14, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu, who serves as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, approved 78 Gallantry awards for personnel belonging to the Defence Forces and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). These prestigious honours recognize extraordinary acts of valor, selfless sacrifice, tactical ingenuity, and conspicuous bravery displayed by military and paramilitary personnel during complex anti-terrorist operations, high-risk counter-insurgency missions, extreme border security duties, and critical national defense assignments across various operational theaters.

Among the 78 gallantry commendations announced by the Ministry of Defence, 13 awards have been conferred posthumously to brave souls who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation. The acts of exceptional courage performed by these military and security personnel demonstrate the highest traditions of duty, tactical resilience, selflessness, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding the sovereignty, strategic interests, and territorial integrity of the country under extremely hazardous and unpredictable operational conditions.

Detailed Breakdown of Gallantry Medals Conferred

The comprehensive list of gallantry decorations approved by the President includes nine Kirti Chakras—the nation's second-highest peacetime gallantry award—and one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, awarded for repeated exceptional courage and military leadership in high-stakes combat scenarios. Additionally, the President approved 19 Shaurya Chakras to personnel across the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and paramilitary forces for courageous actions in face-to-face combat, armed engagements, and high-risk counter-insurgency operations.

The remaining honors encompass five Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry) awarded to Indian Army personnel, three Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) conferred upon Indian Navy sailors, and five Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) presented to Indian Air Force personnel. These diverse decorations highlight the operational readiness, individual heroism, and joint combat capabilities across all specialized branches of the armed services and law enforcement agencies.

Honoring Sacrifice and Institutional Legacy

The announcement of these gallantry honors serves as a poignant reminder of the continuous vigilance, personal sacrifices, and relentless dedication maintained by the nation's security apparatus. Defence officials and senior military commanders emphasized that the inspiring stories of these medal recipients exemplify extraordinary leadership, tactical discipline, and operational excellence, serving as guiding lights for future generations of defense personnel.

The formal investiture ceremony will be hosted at the historic Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in the coming months, where President Droupadi Murmu will present the physical medals to the awardees and the next of kin of the posthumous recipients in the presence of senior military leadership, cabinet ministers, and state dignitaries.