President Murmu awarded Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra to 39 brave soldiers, including 11 posthumous honours, for heroic acts in counter-terrorism and rescue operations. The ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan recognised supreme courage and sacrifice in defence of India.
In a solemn and proud ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Droupadi Murmu honoured the nation’s bravest by conferring the prestigious Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra awards to distinguished personnel from the armed forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and the police forces of states and Union Territories. The awards recognised their exceptional courage, commitment, and supreme sacrifices in service to the nation.
On Thursday, in the presence of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other senior officials, six soldiers were awarded the Kirti Chakra, including four posthumously, while 33 soldiers received the Shaurya Chakra, with seven of them honoured posthumously.
These gallantry awards are among the highest peacetime military honours in India and are given to those who exhibit extraordinary bravery in situations that involve a grave risk to life. The 2025 awardees were recognised for their valiant actions in counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, anti-piracy operations, and rescue missions that ensured public safety and national security.
Many of the honoured soldiers were involved in high-risk operations in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeastern states. Their courageous actions led to the neutralisation and capture of several terrorists, and the recovery of large caches of arms and ammunition. Officers of the Indian Navy were lauded for their bold execution of anti-piracy operations, including the rescue of hostages and firefighting on a burning oil tanker, showing exceptional valor under life-threatening conditions.
The Indian Air Force was also represented among the awardees, with personnel who undertook perilous flights during emergencies to safeguard civilian lives. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officers were recognised for their bravery in regions plagued by left-wing extremism, leading to the capture of Maoist insurgents and seizure of weapons.
Among the recipients of the Kirti Chakra were Major Malla Rama Gopal Naidu of the Maratha Light Infantry, Major Manjeet of the Punjab Regiment, and Rifleman Ravi Kumar of the Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry, all awarded posthumously. Colonel Manpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent Himayun Bhatt of Jammu & Kashmir Police, and Naik Dilawar Khan of the National Rifles were also honoured posthumously.
Shaurya Chakra recipients included Major (now Lieutenant Colonel) Vijay Verma of the Rajput Regiment, Wing Commander Vernon Keen, Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar, Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav, Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar, and CRPF Inspector Jeffrey Hmingchullo, among others. Posthumous recipients of the Shaurya Chakra included Major Ashish Dhonchak, Constable Pradeep Singh, Havildar Rohit Kumar, CRPF’s Pawan Kumar, and Captain Deepak Singh of the Corps of Signals.
These awards reflect not only the indomitable spirit and professionalism of the Indian forces but also serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave men and women to uphold national security and peace. Their heroism continues to inspire future generations.
