Republic Day 2026 honours: IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gets Ashoka Chakra; 70 others recognised
On the eve of Republic Day 2026, the government announced gallantry and service honours, with the Ashoka Chakra going to IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. The list also includes 70 other awardees across categories, underlining a broad spectrum of bravery and national service.
Top honour announced ahead of Republic Day
As India prepares for Republic Day on 26 January 2026, the Centre released its list of gallantry and service honours. The announcement places the spotlight on courage in action and long-term public service, timed with the country’s biggest ceremonial celebration.
At the top of the list, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been named the recipient of the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The honour, conferred around Republic Day, is widely seen as the country’s most significant recognition for extraordinary bravery outside wartime.
A larger set of awards across categories
Along with the Ashoka Chakra, the government’s announcement includes 70 other people receiving different awards. The names span varied backgrounds and roles, reflecting the way the honours system attempts to acknowledge both singular acts of bravery as well as sustained contributions in diverse circumstances.
Republic Day award announcements typically draw public attention because they connect individual stories to national milestones. In 2026, the timing also aligns with heightened interest in defence, public safety, and recognition for people whose work rarely makes headlines.
With the parade and ceremonial events scheduled for 26 January, the awards list provides a parallel narrative to the pageantry—focusing less on spectacle and more on the individuals and teams whose actions are being formally remembered.
- Ashoka Chakra announced for IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
- 70 additional people named for other honours
- Announcement comes ahead of Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2026
Beyond the formal citations, such honours often act as a public record of difficult work carried out in high-risk situations. As the country marks Republic Day, the awards list is likely to be discussed alongside the parade’s themes and broader messaging around duty and service.