Another important chapter is going to be added in the history of India’s space program. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is likely to be awarded the Ashok Chakra on Republic Day this year. Ashoka Chakra is the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award and the honor is being given for his historic space travel and contribution to the National Human Space Flight Programme.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is the second astronaut from India to travel to space, while becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He completed an 18-day visit to the ISS under the Axiom-4 mission in June 2025. During this time, he conducted many important experiments to microgravity, from which important scientific data was obtained for the Gaganyaan human space flight mission.

His visit is being considered a symbol of India’s growing confidence in its space capabilities and technological maturity. Along with scientific contributions, the award also recognizes courage, discipline and dedication to national service shown during space missions. Defense and space sector officials believe that this achievement is a milestone for India’s human space program.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s achievement has inspired youth and students across the country to pursue careers in the field of science and technology. His experience is being considered very important in carrying forward the plan of Gaganyaan Mission and the proposed Indian Space Station in the coming years. The data obtained from experiments conducted on the ISS is expected to prove useful in the areas of effects of space on the human body, materials science and medical research.

The announcement of awarding Ashoka Chakra on Republic Day is being seen as a confluence of military discipline and scientific progress. As Group Captain of the Indian Air Force, the way Shukla successfully executed the mission in collaboration with international partners and NASA has further strengthened India’s credibility at the global level.

According to government sources, this honor is not just an individual’s achievement but a symbol of the collective success of thousands of scientists, engineers and technical personnel who are continuously engaged in taking India’s space program forward. Awarding the Ashoka Chakra at the Republic Day celebrations will be a proud moment for the country and will send the message that courage is not limited only to the battlefield but is equally important in an unknown and risky area like space.

As India prepares for its next space missions, the experience and leadership of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is being considered as a guiding light for the next generation of astronauts. His honor is being seen as the beginning of a new era in India’s space travel.

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