Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026
- Context: President conferred gallantry awards during Phase 1 of the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
- Seven Kirti Chakras were awarded, including two posthumously, for acts of exceptional courage, bravery, and devotion to duty.
- The Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, an Indian Air Force pilot and Gaganyatri, was among the recipients of the Kirti Chakra.
- The President also conferred:
- 15 Vir Chakras, including three posthumously.
- 29 Shaurya Chakras, including one posthumously.
Navika Sagar Parikrama 2 Recognition
- Lt. Commander Dilna K. and Lt. Commander Roopa A. were awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
- They were honoured for their bravery, determination, and devotion to duty during Navika Sagar Parikrama 2, the Indian Navy’s all-women global circumnavigation expedition.
UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award
- Prime Minister congratulated Major Abhilasha Barak on being conferred the UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award and said the honour is a recognition of her exemplary service and also of India’s longstanding contribution to the United Nations peacekeeping efforts.
- Major Barak, currently serving with the United Nations mission in Lebanon, has been honoured with the award for her outreach efforts with women and girls during her deployment in the West Asian nation.
