Kirti Chakra Awarded to Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been awarded the prestigious Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The Kirti Chakra — India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award — was conferred for his extraordinary contribution as backup astronaut on the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, India’s maiden journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
Key Facts for Prelims
- Kirti Chakra is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
- Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair served as the backup astronaut on Axiom-4; Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was the primary astronaut.
- Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space overall (after Rakesh Sharma, 1984).
- Gallantry awards are announced on Republic Day (26 Jan) and Independence Day (15 Aug), presented by the President of India.
- Peacetime gallantry awards are for conspicuous bravery away from the battlefield (not in direct face of the enemy).
Gaganyaan Mission — Static Linkage for Prelims
India’s Gaganyaan is the country’s first human spaceflight programme, managed by ISRO. It aims to send Indian astronauts to a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at 400 km and return them safely.
Four Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designates:
- Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
- Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
- Group Captain Angad Pratap
- Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla
India’s Peacetime Gallantry Awards — Complete Hierarchy
These awards follow a three-tier structure, each having a wartime counterpart:
| Award | Rank | Wartime Counterpart |
|---|---|---|
| Ashoka Chakra | 1st (Highest) | Param Vir Chakra |
| Kirti Chakra | 2nd | Maha Vir Chakra |
| Shaurya Chakra | 3rd | Vir Chakra |
Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Key Fact |
|---|---|
| Award received by Prasanth Nair | Kirti Chakra |
| Mission he was associated with | Axiom-4 (Ax-4) — backup astronaut |
| Primary Indian astronaut on Axiom-4 | Shubhanshu Shukla |
| First Indian to visit ISS | Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Second Indian in space overall | Shubhanshu Shukla (first was Rakesh Sharma, 1984) |
| Gaganyaan orbit target | LEO at 400 km |
| Number of Gaganyaan astronaut-designates | 4 |
| Ashoka Chakra — rank | Highest peacetime gallantry award |
| Gallantry award announcement occasions | Republic Day & Independence Day |
Trap / Confusing Points
| Common Misconception | Correct Fact |
|---|---|
| Ashoka Chakra and Param Vir Chakra are similar in rank | Ashoka Chakra = highest PEACETIME; Param Vir Chakra = highest WARTIME |
| Shubhanshu Shukla was the backup on Axiom-4 | He was the PRIMARY astronaut; Prasanth Nair was the backup |
| Gaganyaan has been launched with crew | Gaganyaan crewed mission planned for 2027; Ax-4 was a separate commercial mission |
| Kirti Chakra is only for military | It can be awarded to civilians too, for non-battlefield bravery |
| Rakesh Sharma visited the ISS | Rakesh Sharma flew to Salyut-7 (1984), NOT the ISS |
Practice MCQs
1. Which of the following is the highest peacetime gallantry award in India?
a. Kirti Chakra
b. Param Vir Chakra
c. Ashoka Chakra
d. Shaurya Chakra
Ans: C
The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. Param Vir Chakra is its wartime counterpart.
2. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was awarded the Kirti Chakra for his role in which mission?
a. Gaganyaan Test Flight
b. Chandrayaan-3
c. Axiom-4 (Ax-4) Mission
d. PSLV-C60
Ans: C
He served as the backup astronaut on Axiom-4 which carried Shubhanshu Shukla to the ISS.
3. Which Indian astronaut became the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS)?
a. Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
b. Ajit Krishnan
c. Rakesh Sharma
d. Shubhanshu Shukla
Ans: D
Shubhanshu Shukla was Mission Pilot on Axiom-4, making him the first Indian to visit the ISS. Rakesh Sharma (1984) went to the Soviet Salyut-7 station, not the ISS.
4. India’s Gaganyaan mission targets which altitude in Low Earth Orbit?
a. 200 km
b. 400 km
c. 600 km
d. 36,000 km
Ans: B
Gaganyaan targets LEO at approximately 400 km altitude — the same orbital range as the ISS.
5. Gallantry awards in India are announced on which occasions?
a. Republic Day and Armed Forces Flag Day
b. Independence Day and National Technology Day
c. Republic Day and Independence Day
d. Gandhi Jayanti and Republic Day
Ans: C
Gallantry awards are announced on Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August) and presented by the President of India.
To know more about the Kirti Chakra award and Prasanth Nair’s contribution, Click here.
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