President Droupadi Murmu Approves 78 Gallantry Awards on Independence Day Eve

Exam-focused facts from the 17 August 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous honours, for Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of the 80th Independence Day.
The gallantry awards comprise 9 Kirti Chakras, 19 Shaurya Chakras, 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
The Kirti Chakra, India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred on nine personnel, including seven posthumously.
Major Aditya Pratap Singh of 44 Assam Rifles was awarded the Bar to Shaurya Chakra.
The President also approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches, comprising 75 Army, 4 Navy and 10 Air Force personnel.
The awards will be presented by President Murmu at a ceremonial investiture later this year.