Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to receive Ashoka Chakra for Axiom-4 mission: Reports

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour, for his extraordinary courage and composure during his landmark mission to the International Space Station (ISS), according to media reports.

Shukla, who became only the second Indian to journey into space after Rakesh Sharma, has been recommended for the award in recognition of his exceptional bravery and steadfastness under demanding conditions during the Axiom-4 mission in 2025.

Shukla travelled to the ISS as part of NASA and Axiom Space’s Axiom-4 mission, which launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 25 June 2025. He returned to Earth nearly three weeks later, landing off the California coast on 15 July.

During his roughly 20-day stay aboard the orbiting laboratory, Shukla completed more than 60 scientific experiments across biomedical research, neuroscience, agriculture, space technologies and advanced materials science.

A rare honour for a pathbreaking astronaut

If confirmed, Shukla would join a select group of recipients of the Ashoka Chakra, an award reserved for acts of valour, self-sacrifice or courageous action away from the battlefield. His contributions have drawn praise from India’s space and defence communities, who described his mission as a significant milestone.

Shukla’s spaceflight marked the first time in 41 years that an Indian had travelled beyond Earth, reinforcing India’s growing profile in global space exploration.

Recognised at Uttar Pradesh Day celebrations

Earlier, Shukla was honoured by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday with the Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Award during a ceremony marking Uttar Pradesh Day. Other recipients included educational content creator Alakh Pandey, social worker Lakshmi Arya and agricultural scientist Sudhanshu Singh.

The state government said the awards acknowledged individuals who had brought distinction to Uttar Pradesh through exceptional achievements in their fields.