Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot who became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra. The honor, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, recognizes his contributions to the nation's space ambitions.
The award was approved by President Droupadi Murmu as part of the gallantry awards announced ahead of Republic Day. Shukla's 18-day mission aboard the ISS in June of last year marked a significant milestone, making him the second Indian to travel to space, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma.
Key Takeaways
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has received the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award.
- The award honors his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in June 2025.
- Shukla is the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian citizen to travel to space.
- His experience is considered vital for India's upcoming human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, and the future Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
A Landmark Achievement Recognized
The announcement places Group Captain Shukla in an elite group of individuals recognized for exceptional bravery and service. The Ashoka Chakra is typically awarded for valor or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, and its presentation to an astronaut highlights the growing national importance of space exploration.
Shukla's journey was part of the Axiom-4 mission, a privately funded flight to the orbiting laboratory. His participation was not just a personal achievement but a strategic step for India's own space program. The experience and data gathered are expected to directly influence the development of the Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into orbit on an Indian spacecraft.
The Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valor or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy.
An Accomplished Aviator
Before his journey to space, Group Captain Shukla, 41, built a distinguished career in the Indian Air Force. As a test pilot, he has logged over 2,000 hours of flight experience across a wide range of aircraft. His expertise is extensive and varied, including command of some of the IAF's most advanced and iconic planes.
His flight log includes:
- Sukhoi-30MKI
- MiG-21
- MiG-29
- Jaguar
- Hawk
- Dornier
- An-32
This deep understanding of complex aerospace systems and high-pressure environments provided a crucial foundation for his selection and success as an astronaut. The skills honed over years of test flying are directly applicable to the challenges of human spaceflight, from operating sophisticated systems to making critical decisions in rapidly changing conditions.
Paving the Way for India's Space Future
Shukla has been vocal about the importance of his mission for India's long-term goals in space. The learnings from his 18 days on the ISS are seen as invaluable for the country's ambitious plans, which include not only the Gaganyaan mission but also the establishment of the 'Bharatiya Antariksh Station' by 2035 and eventually landing an Indian on the Moon.
"This mission is a big achievement for our country, and it has come at the right time. India is on course for its human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, Bharatiya Antariksh Station and eventually landing on the Moon," Shukla stated last year.
He emphasized the practical applications of his experience, noting that the knowledge gained is unique and critical. "Whatever we have learnt from this (Axiom) mission, I think they are very unique and critical for our mission. Our efforts in the coming months and years would be to employ those learnings in our mission," he added.
A 41-Year Gap
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's spaceflight occurred 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space in 1984, flying aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission. Shukla's journey marks a new era for India's direct involvement in human space exploration.
Gallantry Awards Honor National Heroes
The announcement of Shukla's Ashoka Chakra was part of a broader list of 70 gallantry awards approved by the President for armed forces personnel. These honors recognize acts of bravery and distinguished service across the military.
This year's awards also included:
- Three Kirti Chakras: Awarded to Major Arshdeep Singh, Naib Subedar Doleshwar Subba, and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair.
- Thirteen Shaurya Chakras: Including one posthumous award.
- One Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- Forty-four Sena Medals (Gallantry)
These awards, announced on the eve of Republic Day 2026, serve as a powerful reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of India's service members, whether on the ground, in the air, or now, in the final frontier of space.