77th Republic Day: President approves Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous

• On the eve of the 77th Republic Day (25 Jan 2026), President Droupadi Murmu approved 70 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces personnel (6 posthumous) and 301 military decorations (distinguished service / Mention-in-Despatches).
• Headlined by an Ashoka Chakra to Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, IAF pilot and India's first astronaut on the ISS via Axiom-4.
• For UPSC: tests Prelims knowledge of award hierarchy, statutory basis, awarding authority; GS-III internal security and GS-II civil-military honours.