President presents Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces, Police personnel

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumously, to personnel of the armed forces displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery and total disregard for personal safety in the line of duty. Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an IAF pilot and a Gaganyatri, is also among the recipients of the Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award. Murmu conferred seven Kirti Chakras, including two posthumously; 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumously; and 29 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumously, to the personnel of the defence forces, Central Armed Police Forces and state or Union Territory police forces during phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony hosted at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the defence ministry said.

President Droupadi Murmu presented Gallantry Awards at the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 (Phase-I) held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/OmDa5XbUt4

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 8, 2026

Inspector Laxman Kewat and Inspector Rameswar Prasad Deshmukh of Chhattisgarh Police were honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for their exceptional courage during anti-naxal operations in the state. Major Aditya Pratap Singh was given Shaurya Chakra for exceptional bravery in foiling a major attack by insurgents in Arunachal Pradesh. Lance Naik Meenatchi Sundaram A was awarded Kirti Chakra for his indomitable spirit and exceptional bravery, wherein, despite being severely injured, he neutralised one hardcore terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir.