Personality in Focus
1.1 Shubhanshu Shukla.
1.2 Rank: Group Captain, Indian Air Force (IAF).

Gallantry Award Conferred
2.1 Awarded Ashoka Chakra.
2.2 Highest peacetime gallantry award of India.
2.3 Conferred by Droupadi Murmu.
2.4 Occasion: 77th Republic Day celebrations.
2.5 Venue: Kartavya Path, New Delhi.

Other Gallantry Award (Same Occasion)
3.1 Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair to receive Kirti Chakra.

Space Mission Achievement
4.1 Travelled to International Space Station (ISS) in 2025.
4.2 Mission: Axiom-4 mission.
4.3 Became the second Indian to travel to space.
4.4 First Indian in space: Rakesh Sharma (1984).

Reason for Ashoka Chakra
5.1 Recognition of exceptional courage.
5.2 Display of leadership and presence of mind.
5.3 Performance under demanding mission conditions.
5.4 Swift decision-making and unwavering commitment to duty.

Scientific and Agricultural Work on ISS
6.1 Conducted multiple scientific experiments.
6.2 Performed agricultural trials in microgravity.
6.3 Successfully cultivated fenugreek.
6.4 Successfully cultivated mung beans.

Significance and Impact
7.1 Mission seen as a boost to India’s human spaceflight aspirations.
7.2 Expected to inspire future generations.
7.3 Demonstrates role of determination and inner strength in achieving high-risk goals.

About Ashoka Chakra (Prelims Facts)
8.1 Instituted in 1952.
8.2 Originally known as Ashoka Chakra, Class I.
8.3 Awarded for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
8.4 Can be awarded to military and civilian personnel.
8.5 May be awarded posthumously.
8.6 Ranks above Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra in peacetime gallantry awards.