Recently, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 6 Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to personnel from the Armed Forces, CAPFs, and Police at Rashtrapati Bhavan, including 11 posthumous honours in   the Phase 1 of Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025.

Highlights of 2025 Gallantry Awards

• Kirti Chakra (6 Awards) including 4 posthumous awards.
  • Given for operations in Jammu & Kashmir and North-East, primarily counter-terrorism.
• Shaurya Chakra (33 Awards) including 7 posthumous awards.
  • Recognised actions in anti-piracy (Navy), fire-fighting, aircraft rescue (IAF), and Maoist operations (CRPF).
    

What is a Gallantry Award?

• Gallantry Awards are conferred by the Government of India to honour acts of bravery, courage, and self-sacrifice by military personnel, police forces, and civilians.
• Instituted: 1950 (War-time); 1952 (Peacetime as Ashoka Chakra series).
• Revised Names: In 1967, Ashoka Chakra Class I, II, III became Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
• Eligibility: Armed Forces, CAPF, Police, and Civilians.
• Operations eligible for Award
  • Counter-Terrorism: Personnel neutralised terrorists in J&K and North-East, recovering arms and ammunition.
  • Anti-Piracy Operations:  Navy teams led hostage rescues and pirate surrenders in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea amid rising Houthi threats.
  • IAF Bravery: Pilots manoeuvred away from civilian areas during critical aircraft emergencies, preventing casualties.
  • CRPF Heroism: CRPF forces demonstrated courage during Left-Wing Extremism operations, recovering weapons and arresting Maoists.
• Announced: Twice a year, on Republic Day and Independence Day.

Types of Gallantry Awards in India