New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): President Droupadi Murmu has approved seventy-eight Gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous, to the personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces on the eve of Independence Day 2026.
Following the announcement, the Indian Army paid glowing tributes to the recipients of the prestigious Shaurya Chakra, honouring their extraordinary valour and fearless commitment to the nation.
Indian Army wrote, “National Gallantry Award. Indian Army salutes the unyielding courage and bravery of Shaurya Chakra awardees. Their heroic tales will forever remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.”
The awards include nine Kirti Chakras of which seven are posthumous. The awards also include one Bar to Shaurya Chakra, 19 Shaurya Chakras, one of them posthumous, five Bars to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 36 Sena Medals, five of them posthumous, three Nao Sena Medals and five Vayu Sena Medals.
The nation proudly celebrates the exceptional bravery of the Indian Army personnel awarded the prestigious Shaurya Chakra for Independence Day, officers featured in the official honours include, Major Gaurav Singh Brijwal (21 Grenadiers), Major Vipeen Kumar (Dogra / 11 Rasthriya Rifles), Nb Sub Shankar Ram (3 Assam Rifles), and Nb Sub Dabbal Singh Bisht (21 Para (SF)), whose resolute spirit and fearless service remain a profound source of inspiration for the entire nation.
On the other hand, a total of 1,057 personnel from the Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day, 2026, with the declaration of names of three police personnel from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh Police who were honoured with Gallantry Medals posthumously, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Friday.
Chhattisgarh Police constables late Nitesh Ekka and late Ramesh Koreti, as well as Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector late Sunil Kumar, are among those honoured with the gallantry medals posthumously.
Of the 1,057 awards, 301 awards are related to the Medal for Gallantry, 92 for the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 664 for the Medal for Meritorious Service.
Among the majority of the 301 Gallantry awards, 197 personnel are from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 51 from the Jammu and Kashmir region, 12 from the North-East and 41 personnel from other regions are being awarded for their gallant action.
Out of 301 Medals for Gallantry, 272 Police Personnel and 29 Fire Service personnel have been awarded GM, respectively. Medal for Gallantry is awarded on the ground of a conspicuous act of Gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.
Of the total 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, 83 have been awarded to police service, four to fire service, three to Civil Defence and Home Guard service and two to Correctional Service. Out of 664 Medals for Meritorious Service, 606 have been awarded to police service, 28 to fire service, 18 to Civil Defence and Home Guard service and 12 to correctional service.
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for a special distinguished record in service, and the Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded for valuable service characterised by resource and devotion to duty. (ANI)
Related reading
