Republic Day 2026: Full List of Gallantry and Distinguished Service Award Recipients Released

The Government of India has released its list of Republic Day 2026 gallantry and distinguished service awards, recognising senior defence personnel across the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Shaurya Chakra categories.

Five officers have been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the highest of the distinguished service honours given for service of the most exceptional order: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, and Vice Admiral Atul Anand. The PVSM is awarded for distinguished service of the most exceptional order and is among the senior-most peacetime honours available to officers across India's armed forces.

Eight officers have received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, a rank below the PVSM but still recognising distinguished service of a high order: Vice Admiral Ay Sardesai, Surgeon Vice Admiral Kavita Sahai, Vice Admiral Rajat Kapoor, Vice Admiral Srinivas Kudaravalli, Vice Admiral Susheel Menon, Vice Admiral Anil Jaggi, Rear Admiral Nirbhay Bapna, and Surgeon Rear Admiral Vivek Hande. The concentration of Navy flag-rank officers among this year's recipients reflects the honours cycle's rotation across service branches, which varies from year to year based on internal recommendations from each service headquarters.

The Shaurya Chakra, awarded for gallantry displayed other than in the face of the enemy, went to Lieutenant Commander Dilna K and Lieutenant Commander Roopa A, both Navy officers, marking a notable instance of the peacetime gallantry honour being awarded to women officers in the current cycle.

Republic Day gallantry and distinguished service awards are announced annually and recommended through each service headquarters before final approval, with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal specifically recognising senior officers for sustained distinguished service rather than a single incident, distinguishing them from gallantry awards like the Shaurya Chakra, which recognise specific acts of courage.

The full list, along with associated citations, is expected to be formally read out as part of the Republic Day honours ceremony.

Distinguished service medals like the PVSM and AVSM are distinct from operational gallantry awards in that they recognise a sustained body of exceptional service over a career rather than conduct during a specific operation, and recipients are typically flag-rank or equivalent senior officers nominated by their respective service headquarters based on internal assessment boards. The Shaurya Chakra, by contrast, requires a specific citation describing the act of gallantry for which it is awarded, details of which are typically released alongside the formal ceremony rather than in the initial list announcement.