IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Conferred Ashoka Chakra

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was on 26 January conferred the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, by President Droupadi Murmu during the 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path.

Kirti Chakra for Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
In another notable recognition, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be awarded the Kirti Chakra for distinguished acts of courage and devotion to duty.

Second Indian in Space
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, becoming only the second Indian to travel to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma.

Recognition of Courage and Leadership
The Ashoka Chakra citation recognises Shukla’s exceptional courage, leadership and presence of mind demonstrated under demanding and high-risk conditions during the space mission.

Scientific and Agricultural Experiments in Microgravity
During his stay aboard the ISS, Shukla carried out multiple scientific experiments and agricultural trials, including the successful cultivation of fenugreek and mung beans in microgravity, contributing to India’s research in space-based life sciences and future long-duration missions.