Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Gets Ashoka Chakra – First Indian Astronaut on ISS.
The nation is proud today as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra. This is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The honour comes for his brave and historic mission to the International Space Station.
This is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The honour comes for his brave and historic mission to the International Space Station.
President approved the award on Republic Day. Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to step on the ISS in June 2025 during the Axiom-4 mission. Many see this award as a big recognition for India’s growing space power.
Shubhanshu Shukla:
Shubhanshu ShuklaBorn in Lucknow. He is a skilled test pilot from the Indian Air Force. He has flown more than 2,000 hours on fighter jets like Su-30 MKI and MiG-21.In 2025, he joined the Axiom-4 mission. This private mission sent him to the International Space Station.
He spent time there doing science experiments and showing India’s flag in space.
This is the first time an Indian astronaut gets the Ashoka Chakra for a space mission.
Group Captain Prasanth Nair also got the Kirti Chakra for his role in space efforts.
Ashoka Chakra:
Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest award given in peacetime. It is for acts of extreme bravery, great courage, or self-sacrifice. It is like the top bravery medal when there is peace.It is equal to the Param Vir Chakra but given only in peacetime. The Param Vir Chakra is for wartime bravery.
Who can get it:
Any person from the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
Sometimes civilians or police too, if their act is very brave.
It can be given after death (posthumous) or while alive.
medal look:
is a round medal.
It has the Ashoka Chakra wheel (24 spokes) in the centre.
The wheel comes from Emperor Ashoka’s symbol and also appears on India’s national flag.
The medal is gold-coloured with a ribbon that is green with orange edges.
Ashoka Chakra Award began in 1952.