Ashok Chakra Awardees: Benefits for Recipients—Shubhanshu Shukla to Receive Perks from Central and State Governments

New Delhi: The Ashok Chakra Award, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honor, recognizes exceptional bravery, daring missions, rescue operations, and other acts of courage in the face of danger. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer turned astronaut, has been conferred with this prestigious award.

Recognition by the President
President Droupadi Murmu presented the Ashok Chakra to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on the eve of Republic Day 2026. Shukla, who became the first Indian civilian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) during NASA’s private Axiom Mission 4 in June 2025, was honored for his extraordinary bravery, presence of mind, and exemplary courage during the high-stakes space mission. He piloted the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, making a historic contribution to India’s space achievements. Notably, he is the second Indian astronaut to receive the Ashok Chakra after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma.

Why Shubhanshu Shukla Received the Ashok Chakra
The award recognizes Shukla’s exceptional valor while handling a high-risk mission to the ISS. His courage, composure, and commitment during the Axiom Mission 4 were exemplary, setting a benchmark for bravery in modern space exploration.

Perks and Benefits for Ashok Chakra Recipients

Central Government Benefits:

• Monetary Allowance: Recipients receive a monthly allowance of ₹12,000 (previously ₹6,000). In case of posthumous awards, the allowance is provided to the widow or eligible family members until death or remarriage.
• Railway Travel: Awardees or their widows are entitled to lifetime complimentary First Class/Second AC railway passes, valid on most trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Jan Shatabdi Express.
• Air Travel: Air India (formerly Indian Airlines) provides a 75% discount on domestic economy class fares.
• Income Tax Exemption: Monetary allowance received as part of the award is exempt from income tax.

State Government Benefits:

• Various states provide one-time cash rewards or land grants.
• Families of posthumous awardees receive additional financial assistance, including scholarships for children’s education.
• Priority telephone connections and discounted rates may be offered in some regions.
• Special military or government healthcare facilities are often extended to awardees and their dependents.

Significance of the Ashok Chakra
The Ashok Chakra, established on January 4, 1952, symbolizes bravery, courage, and self-sacrifice. Named after Emperor Ashoka’s Chakra, which also appears on the Indian national flag, the award was initially classified into three categories (Class I, II, III). In 1962, these were renamed Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recognition with the Ashok Chakra not only honors his remarkable courage in space but also serves as a source of inspiration for the nation, highlighting India’s valor both on Earth and beyond.