National News
President Droupadi Murmu confers Ashoka Chakra on space hero Shubhanshu Shukla
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS).
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday conferred the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS).
The honour was presented during the Republic Day celebrations at Kartavya Path, the ceremonial boulevard of the national capital, in recognition of his exceptional courage, dedication and pioneering contribution to India’s space programme.
In June last year, Shukla became only the second Indian to travel to space, and the first to visit the ISS, as part of the landmark Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. His 18-day space journey came 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight aboard the Soviet Soyuz mission, marking a new chapter in India’s human space exploration.
A decorated Indian Air Force fighter pilot, Shukla brings with him over 2,000 hours of flying experience across multiple aircraft platforms, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.
Serving as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission, he played a key role in conducting advanced scientific experiments and operational tasks aboard the ISS, earning praise from international space agencies and experts.
The mission was led by US-based private firm Axiom Space, in collaboration with NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), highlighting growing global cooperation in space exploration.
Following the successful mission, Shukla became a household name, widely regarded as a symbol of India’s expanding ambitions in human spaceflight.
Hailing from Lucknow, Shukla was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 2006 and has since built an illustrious career marked by precision, professionalism and service to the nation.
The conferment of the Ashoka Chakra stands as a tribute to his courage and trailblazing achievement that has inspired millions across the country.
