Subhechcha Ganguly 
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been conferred the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the nation’s space programme.
Shukla etched his name into history on June 26, 2025, when he became the first Indian astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) flight launched aboard NASA/SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
Although he is only the second Indian to travel to space—after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984—Shukla’s mission marked a major milestone in India’s human spaceflight journey and global scientific collaboration.
The Ashok Chakra honour, traditionally awarded for “most conspicuous bravery, self-sacrifice, and extreme devotion to duty,” underscores Shukla’s courage, skill, and contribution to advancing India’s presence in space exploration.
Shukla’s achievement has also earned him accolades from his home state. He is slated to receive the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman for elevating the state’s pride on national and international arenas.
The award announcement comes as India commemorates its Republic Day honours, celebrating citizens whose exceptional service has brought distinction to the nation.
