Shubhanshu Shukla Receives Ashoka Chakra on Republic Day 2026
Shubhanshu Shukla Receives Ashoka Chakra on Republic Day 2026
President Murmu awards the Ashoka Chakra to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the ISS, during Republic Day ceremonies at Kartavya Path, New Delhi.
As a fighter pilot with 2,000 flight hours across aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32, Shukla's ascent to ISS marked a significant leap for the Indian Air Force and the broader space ecosystem. He hails from Lucknow and was commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream in June 2006. The Ax-4 mission showcased sophisticated experiments and strategic collaboration among international partners, underscoring India's return to human spaceflight on the world stage.
