Ashoka Chakra for Shubhanshu Shukla, Kirti Chakra for three including Prashant Balakrishnan; Shaurya Chakra for Roopa and Dilna

NEW DELHI: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who announced India's presence at the International Space Station, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, the highest military honour. Malayali astronaut Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan, who was selected as Shukla's replacement for this mission, has been awarded the second highest award, the Kirti Chakra. Major Arshadeep Singh and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba have also been awarded the Kirti Chakra.

13 people, including Kozhikode native Lt. Commander K Dilna and her companion Lt. Commander Rupa Alagirisamy from Puducherry, who created history by sailing across four continents in 239 days, will be awarded the Shaurya Chakra. Malayali Assistant Commandant Vipin Wilson from the Ministry of Home Affairs is also on the list.

Shubhanshu is the first Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma. This is the first time since 2021 that a soldier has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra. Prashant Balakrishnan, a native of Nenmara in Palakkad, is one of the four astronauts selected for India's prestigious space program, Gaganyaan. He is married to film star Lena.

Arshdeep Singh of Assam Rifles was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery in an operation on the Indo-Myanmar border in May 2025, and Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba of 2nd Para Battalion was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his bravery in an anti-terror operation in the Kishtwar forests of Jammu and Kashmir in 2025.