President Droupadi Murmu conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, and 33 Shaurya Chakras, including seven posthumously, during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 held at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The awards recognized extraordinary courage and sacrifice by members of the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State/Union Territory Police personnel.
The recipients were honoured for acts of gallantry during intense counter-terror and counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir and the North-East, as well as high-risk rescue efforts, fire-fighting operations at sea, and actions against Left-Wing Extremists.
Several Indian Army personnel received the prestigious Shaurya Chakra for neutralizing terrorists and recovering weapons during fierce encounters. Among them were Major (now Lt Col) Vijay Verma and Colonel Pawan Singh for their bravery during operations in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Commodore Sharad Sinsunwa of the Indian Navy was also awarded for leading successful anti-piracy operations that rescued hostages and ensured the safe recovery of a burning oil tanker.
Air Force personnel were recognized for risking their lives to maneuver aircraft away from civilian zones, preventing potential disasters. Wing Commander Vernon Desmond Keane and Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar were among the key Air Force honorees.
In a notable mention, Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon from the Indian Army received the Shaurya Chakra for his courage during a high-risk mission in August 2024. His name was widely appreciated during the ceremony.
Among the posthumous awardees, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Sepoy Pardeep Singh were honoured for their ultimate sacrifice during counter-terror operations in September 2023. From the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), CT/GD Pawn Kumar and CT/GD Devan were posthumously awarded for their valour in anti-Maoist operations in January 2024.
Here is the full event:
The Kirti Chakra, India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, was conferred posthumously on Colonel Manpreet Singh, Rifleman Ravi Kumar, Naik Dilwar Khan, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzzammil Bhat. They laid down their lives during a joint operation in Jammu and Kashmir in September 2023.
Here is the full list of awardees:
Kirti Chakra (Posthumous)
| Sl. No. | Name | Service | Date of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rifleman Ravi Kumar | Indian Army | September 12, 2023 |
| 2 | Colonel Manpreet Singh | Indian Army | September 13, 2023 |
| 3 | Dy SP Himayun Muzzammil Bhat | J&K Police (MHA) | September 13, 2023 |
| 4 | Naik Dilwar Khan | Indian Army | July 23, 2024 |
Kirti Chakra (Non-Posthumous)
| Sl. No. | Name | Service | Date of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major Malla Ram Gopal Naidu | Indian Army | October 26, 2023 |
| 2 | Major Manjit | Indian Army | April 25, 2024 |
Shaurya Chakra (Posthumous)
| Sl. No. | Name | Service | Date of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major Aashish Dhonchak | Indian Army | September 13, 2023 |
| 2 | Sepoy Pardeep Singh | Indian Army | September 13, 2023 |
| 3 | Havildar Rohit Kumar | Indian Army | October 8, 2023 |
| 4 | CT/GD Pawn Kumar | CRPF (MHA) | January 30, 2024 |
| 5 | CT/GD Devan | CRPF (MHA) | January 30, 2024 |
| 6 | GDE-1 Vijayan Kutty | BRO | June 15, 2024 |
| 7 | Captain Deepak Singh | Indian Army | August 13, 2024 |
Shaurya Chakra (Non-Posthumous)
| Sl. No. | Name | Service | Date of Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Major (now Lt Col) Vijay Verma | Indian Army | October 5, 2022 |
| 2 | Deputy Commandant Vikrant Kumar | CRPF (MHA) | April 2, 2023 |
| 3 | Inspector/GD Jeffrey Hmingchullo | CRPF (MHA) | April 2, 2023 |
| 4 | Wing Commander Vernon D. Keane | Indian Air Force | July 24, 2023 |
| 5 | Squadron Leader Deepak Kumar | Indian Air Force | August 25, 2023 |
| 6 | SPO Abdul Latif | J&K Police (MHA) | September 4, 2023 |
| 7 | Subedar Sanjeev Singh Jasrotia | Indian Army | September 16, 2023 |
| 8 | Colonel Pawan Singh | Indian Army | October 10, 2023 |
| 9 | Subedar P Pabin Singha | Indian Army | October 26, 2023 |
| 10 | Major Sahil Randhawa | Indian Army | November 16, 2023 |
| 11 | Major (now Lt Col) CVS Nikhil | Indian Army | November 23, 2023 |
| 12 | Major Tripatpreet Singh | Indian Army | January 4, 2024 |
| 13 | Lieutenant Commander Kapil Yadav | Indian Army | January 27, 2024 |
| 14 | Deputy Commandant Lakhvee | CRPF (MHA) | January 30, 2024 |
| 15 | Assistant Commandant Rajesh Panchal | CRPF (MHA) | January 30, 2024 |
| 16 | CT/GD Malkit Singh | CRPF (MHA) | January 30, 2024 |
| 17 | Subedar Mohan Ram | Indian Army | February 13, 2024 |
| 18 | Commodore Sharad Sinsunwa | Indian Navy | March 13, 2024 |
| 19 | Flight Lieutenant Aman Singh Hans | Indian Air Force | March 28, 2024 |
| 20 | Sergeant Dabhi Sanjay Hiffabhai | Indian Air Force | April 4, 2024 |
| 21 | Major Kunal | Indian Army | May 6, 2024 |
| 22 | Major Ashish Dahiya | Indian Army | May 2, 2024 |
| 23 | Havildar Prakash Tamang | Indian Army | June 19, 2024 |
| 24 | Major Satender Dhankar | Indian Army | June 26, 2024 |
| 25 | Assistant Commandant Eshenthung Kikon | Indian Army | August 8, 2024 |
| 26 | Subedar Vikas Tomar | Indian Army | September 11, 2024 |
This year’s investiture ceremony serves as a poignant reminder of the indomitable courage and unyielding spirit of India’s security forces. Their commitment to protecting the nation, often at the cost of their own lives, continues to inspire the nation.
