On June 8, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 51 Gallantry Awards to armed forces personnel during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The prestigious awards, which included 07 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras, recognize the extraordinary courage and selfless service of personnel from the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and State/UT Police. The high-profile ceremony was attended by the Vice President, Prime Minister, and Defence Minister.
On June 8, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented 51 Gallantry Awards at the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026. The awards included 07 Kirti Chakras (02 posthumous), 15 Vir Chakras (03 posthumous), and 29 Shaurya Chakras (01 posthumous). These honors were bestowed upon personnel who demonstrated extraordinary courage and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
The ceremony took place on June 8, 2026, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. It marked Phase-I of the annual Defence Investiture Ceremony for the year 2026.
These awards hold immense national significance as they honor the ultimate sacrifices made by security personnel, serving as a powerful motivational tool for the armed forces. For competitive exams, this topic is directly relevant to UPSC GS Paper 3 (Internal Security) and GS Paper 2 (Governance & Executive Powers). It reinforces the institutional framework of recognizing merit and bravery within the state apparatus.
Globally, India's Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra are equivalent to the highest military decorations of other nations, such as the Medal of Honor in the United States or the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom. India's distinction between strictly wartime and peacetime gallantry is a relatively unique administrative feature.
The completion of Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 paves the way for Phase-II, which usually occurs later in the year to honor remaining awardees. The inclusion of CAPF and State Police personnel alongside regular armed forces will likely continue to strengthen integrated security operations across internal and border jurisdictions.
Core Concept: Indian Gallantry Awards System
Q1. How many total Gallantry Awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026? [Easy]
A) 36
B) 45
C) 51
D) 60
Answer: C
Explanation: On June 8, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu presented a total of 51 Gallantry Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Q2. Which of the following awards presented during the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 is considered a wartime gallantry award? [Easy]
A) Kirti Chakra
B) Shaurya Chakra
C) Vir Chakra
D) Ashoka Chakra
Answer: C
Explanation: Vir Chakra is a wartime gallantry award, whereas Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are peacetime awards.
Q3. Consider the breakdown of awards conferred during the 2026 ceremony. How many Vir Chakras were awarded posthumously? [Moderate]
A) 01
B) 02
C) 03
D) 07
Answer: C
Explanation: Out of the 15 Vir Chakras presented during the ceremony, 03 were awarded posthumously.
Q4. The Gallantry Awards presented on June 8, 2026, were conferred upon personnel from which of the following organizations? [Moderate]
A) Defence Forces only
B) Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) only
C) Central Armed Police Forces and State Police only
D) Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/UT Police
Answer: D
Explanation: The awards recognize personnel from the Defence Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and State/UT Police.
Q5. How many Kirti Chakras were presented during the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026? [Moderate]
A) 07
B) 15
C) 29
D) 51
Answer: A
Explanation: The President presented 07 Kirti Chakras during the ceremony, of which 02 were posthumous.
Q6. Which constitutional article formally vests the power to confer these military honors in the President of India as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces? [Tricky]
A) Article 52
B) Article 53(2)
C) Article 54
D) Article 72
Answer: B
Explanation: Article 53(2) formally vests the Supreme Command of the Defence Forces in the President, authorizing them to confer such military honors.
Q7. During the Phase-I Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026, which category of gallantry award saw the highest number of medals conferred? [Tricky]
A) Kirti Chakra
B) Vir Chakra
C) Shaurya Chakra
D) Param Vir Chakra
Answer: C
Explanation: 29 Shaurya Chakras were awarded, which is higher than the 15 Vir Chakras and 07 Kirti Chakras presented.
Q8. If a State Police officer demonstrates exceptional bravery during a counter-terrorism operation in a civilian area, which award out of the 51 conferred on June 8, 2026, are they most likely to receive? [Tricky]
A) Vir Chakra
B) Maha Vir Chakra
C) Shaurya Chakra
D) Param Vir Chakra
Answer: C
Explanation: The Shaurya Chakra is a peacetime award (away from the battlefield/enemy borders) conferred for valor, frequently given to police and CAPF personnel for counter-terrorism operations, unlike the wartime Vir Chakra series.
PYQ 1:
Which of the following gallantry awards is matched correctly with the number of medals conferred during the Phase-I Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026?
A) Kirti Chakra — 15
B) Vir Chakra — 29
C) Shaurya Chakra — 29
D) Ashoka Chakra — 07
Answer: C
Explanation: 29 Shaurya Chakras were presented. Kirti Chakras were 07, and Vir Chakras were 15.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following statements regarding the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 held on June 8, 2026:
1. A total of 51 Gallantry Awards were presented by the Prime Minister of India.
2. Out of the 07 Kirti Chakras awarded, 02 were awarded posthumously.
3. The awards are strictly restricted to personnel of the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect as the President of India (not the PM) presented the 51 awards. Statement 3 is incorrect because the awards also include CAPF and State/UT Police personnel. Statement 2 is correct.
PYQ 3:
Assertion (A): The President of India presides over the Defence Investiture Ceremony and confers the Gallantry Awards.
Reason (R): Article 53(2) of the Indian Constitution vests the Supreme Command of the Defence Forces in the President of India.
Choose the correct option:
A) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
C) A is true but R is false.
D) A is false but R is true.
Answer: A
Explanation: The President confers these military awards specifically because they hold the constitutional position of the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces under Article 53(2).
Question 1 (150 words): The integration of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Police alongside traditional Defence Forces in Gallantry Award ceremonies highlights the changing nature of India's security challenges. Discuss.
The inclusion of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and State Police personnel in the Defence Investiture Ceremony, where President Droupadi Murmu recently conferred 51 Gallantry Awards on June 8, 2026, reflects a paradigm shift in India's security architecture. Historically, military honors were predominantly associated with external border conflicts involving the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Today, India's most pressing security threats often manifest as internal challenges, such as left-wing extremism, cross-border infiltration, and urban terrorism. The State Police and CAPFs are the first responders in these high-risk asymmetric warfare zones. Awarding them peacetime decorations like the Shaurya Chakra (of which 29 were awarded in this ceremony) alongside the military acknowledges that the frontline of national defense has expanded into the hinterland.
Going forward, this integrated recognition must be matched with equal post-retirement benefits and institutional support for the families of the posthumous awardees from police forces, ensuring parity in welfare as well as in honors.
Question 2 (250 words): Analyze the significance of the Gallantry Awards in the context of the institutional morale of the armed forces and the constitutional role of the President of India.
The Gallantry Awards, presented biannually in India, serve as the highest institutional recognition of supreme sacrifice and valor. During the recent Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony on June 8, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu conferred 51 awards, including 07 Kirti Chakras, 15 Vir Chakras, and 29 Shaurya Chakras. This event holds deep significance for both the morale of the security apparatus and the constitutional functioning of the state.
Constitutionally, the ceremony embodies Article 53(2), which vests the Supreme Command of the Defence Forces in the President. By having the Head of State directly pin the medals on the chests of the personnel or hand them to the grieving families of the 06 posthumous awardees, the Republic symbolically asserts civilian supremacy over the military while simultaneously offering its highest gratitude. It bridges the executive leadership with the grassroots soldiers and police officers.
From the perspective of institutional morale, these awards are vital. The military and CAPFs operate in extremely hazardous conditions, from the icy heights of the Himalayas to dense, insurgency-hit jungles. The formal recognition of their sacrifices, categorized meticulously into wartime (Vir Chakra) and peacetime (Kirti and Shaurya Chakras) exploits, validates their hardships. It reassures the troops that their life-threatening risks are seen and valued by the nation.
To maximize this impact in the future, the government must ensure that the institutional machinery processing these nominations remains entirely transparent and free from bureaucratic delays, preserving the sanctity and motivational power of these prestigious national honors.
For Prelims, examiners highly prefer testing the exact categories of awards (Wartime vs. Peacetime) and their hierarchical order. Expect statement-based questions mixing up the Kirti Chakra and Vir Chakra. For Mains (GS 3 - Internal Security), use the data from this event (e.g., CAPF inclusion in the 51 awards) to substantiate arguments about the evolving nature of internal security operations. A high-probability question for the upcoming NDA/CDS or UPSC Prelims cycle will likely ask you to identify which of the recently awarded medals (like the Vir Chakra) belong to the wartime category.