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President Droupadi Murmu presented the award on Monday during the 77th Republic Day parade, making Shukla one of the few recipients of the honour.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla awarded Ashok Chakra | ANI Image
Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has been conferred the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, in recognition of his exceptional service, including his role in the landmark Axiom Mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
President Droupadi Murmu presented the award on Monday during the 77th Republic Day parade, making Shukla one of the few recipients of the honour to be recognised at the ceremonial event.
Only the Ashok Chakra and the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry award, are traditionally conferred at the Republic Day parade.
Shukla scripted history last year by becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. Notably, Sharma was also a recipient of the Ashok Chakra.
On Sunday, the President approved gallantry awards for 70 armed forces personnel, including Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, who served as the backup pilot for the space mission.
Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry honour, at a separate investiture ceremony.
The list of awards approved by the President includes two Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). Some of the honours will be awarded posthumously.
Among the recipients of the Shaurya Chakra are two women naval officers, Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A, who have been recognised for their gruelling circumnavigation mission, Navika Sagar Parikrama II.
The officers sailed 25,600 nautical miles last year, making port calls across Australia, New Zealand, the Falkland Islands and South Africa.
Born on October 10, 1985, Shukla is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006.
A decorated combat leader and test pilot, he has logged over 2,000 flying hours across a range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar and Hawk.
Shukla is also the youngest of the four IAF fighter pilots selected for India’s first crewed spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally introduced the astronaut-designates, Shukla, Nair, Group Captains Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap.
India’s Gaganyaan mission is scheduled for launch in early 2027 and will carry two to three astronauts into a 400-kilometre orbit for a three-day mission.
The programme marks a major step in India’s long-term space ambitions, which include establishing the Bharatiya Antariksha Station by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon by 2040.
Group Captain Nair, also an NDA alumnus, was awarded the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal for overall excellence during training. Other Kirti Chakra awardees include Major Arshdeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba.
January 26, 2026, 10:44 IST
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