Current Context: President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 Gallantry Awards on 14 August 2026, on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day.
- The awards were given to personnel of the Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces for acts of exceptional courage and gallantry. Of the 78 awards, 13 were posthumous, meaning they were awarded to personnel who lost their lives.
- The 78 Gallantry Awards consisted of 9 Kirti Chakras, including 7 posthumous; 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra; 19 Shaurya Chakras, including 1 posthumous; 5 Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry); 36 Sena Medals (Gallantry), including 5 posthumous; 3 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry); and 5 Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
- Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, after the Ashoka Chakra. It is awarded for exceptional courage or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. The Shaurya Chakra is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award.
- A Bar to an award indicates that a person who had already received that particular decoration has been recognised again for another qualifying act of gallantry. In the 2026 list, there was 1 Bar to Shaurya Chakra and 5 Bars to Sena Medal (Gallantry).
- The President also approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches. These included 75 personnel of the Indian Army, 4 of the Indian Navy and 10 of the Indian Air Force. Mention-in-Despatches is a formal recognition of noteworthy or distinguished operational service that does not result in the award of a separate gallantry medal.
- Among the 89 Mention-in-Despatches, Army personnel recognised included those who had served in operations such as Operation Rakshak, highlighting operational contributions in difficult security environments.
Question:
Q1. How many Gallantry Awards and Mention-in-Despatches were approved by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of Independence Day 2026?a) 78 Gallantry Awards and 89 Mention-in-Despatches
b) 89 Gallantry Awards and 78 Mention-in-Despatches
c) 78 Gallantry Awards and 75 Mention-in-Despatches
d) 80 Gallantry Awards and 89 Mention-in-Despatches
Answer: a) President Droupadi Murmu approved 78 Gallantry Awards on 14 August 2026, on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day. She also approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches, including 75 Army, 4 Navy, and 10 Air Force personnel.
