President Droupadi Murmu awarded 105 Distinguished Service Decorations to defense forces personnel, including heroes from Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, and Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai. The ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhawan during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-II). The honored individuals were from the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
These decorations, which included 7 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 12 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, and 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, were given for exceptional distinguished service. Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who led military operations during Operation Sindoor as the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO), received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. He served at the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) from the Kumaon Regiment.
Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, who played a crucial role in IAF actions during the Operation, was also honored with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal. During one of his briefings on the Operation, Air Marshal Bharti quoted the Ramcharitmanas. Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who recently assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, who is set to become the next Chief of the Army Staff, received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Vivek Hande and Indian Coast Guard’s Additional Director General Donny Michael were also among the recipients of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. Other awardees of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal included Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, and Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra.
