President Murmu Approves Indian Navy Gallantry Awards for Independence Day 2026, Shivam Kumar Gets Shaurya Chakra
President Droupadi Murmu has approved gallantry awards for Indian Navy personnel on the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, with officers and sailors recognised for courage, professional excellence and distinguished conduct. The awards were announced in a Ministry of Defence list released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on August 14, 2026.
According to the list, one Indian Navy officer has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, three personnel have been selected for the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), and four naval personnel have been Mentioned-in-Despatches. The honours form part of the wider Independence Day 2026 gallantry awards approved by the President.
Shaurya Chakra for Lt Cdr Shivam Kumar
Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar has been awarded the Shaurya Chakra, one of India’s recognised peacetime gallantry decorations. The award is given for conspicuous gallantry in circumstances other than in the face of the enemy.
With this recognition, Lt Cdr Shivam Kumar joins the select group of Armed Forces personnel honoured with the Shaurya Chakra on Independence Day 2026.
Three Naval Personnel Receive Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Three Indian Navy personnel have been awarded the Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), a naval decoration presented for exceptional courage and devotion to duty during naval operations. In this year’s Independence Day honours list, all three recipients have been recognised under the gallantry category.
The recipients are Commander Yuvraj Kumar, Commander Vineet Sharma and C Avinash Annaso, POA (FD).
The Nao Sena Medal can also be awarded for distinguished devotion to duty, but the three names announced in this list were specifically cited for gallantry.
Four Mentioned-in-Despatches
Four more Indian Navy personnel have been Mentioned-in-Despatches for noteworthy operational service and acts considered worthy of formal recognition.
The personnel named are Commander Nikhil Chugh, Lieutenant Ajay Jose N Joseph, Abhishek Dhanawade, Sea I (CD), and Ashwin Santhosh, AVR Sea (CD).
A Mention-in-Despatches is an official acknowledgment of commendable service or gallant action during military operations that merits being placed on record.
Indian Navy Gallantry Awards, Independence Day 2026
Shaurya Chakra: Lieutenant Commander Shivam Kumar
Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry): Commander Yuvraj Kumar, Commander Vineet Sharma and C Avinash Annaso, POA (FD)
Mention-in-Despatches: Commander Nikhil Chugh, Lieutenant Ajay Jose N Joseph, Abhishek Dhanawade, Sea I (CD), and Ashwin Santhosh, AVR Sea (CD)
The naval awards are part of a larger set of gallantry honours announced for personnel of the Armed Forces on the eve of the 80th Independence Day. President Murmu approved a total of 78 gallantry awards, including 13 posthumous awards, along with 89 Mention-in-Despatches.
The recognition of these Indian Navy personnel reflects the service’s tradition of honouring officers and sailors for bravery, professionalism and devotion to duty while carrying out demanding assignments in defence of the country and its maritime interests.
