Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla to Receive Ashok Chakra for Historic ISS Mission

• Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot, will be awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration.
• Shukla made history in July 2025 as the first Indian ISRO astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) under Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4).
• A native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, he was part of the four main astronauts selected for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
• During his Ax-4 mission aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule, he conducted scientific experiments and demonstrated India's capabilities in space.
• The Ashok Chakra recognizes his extraordinary courage, technical skill, and elevating India's global standing in space exploration.

Why It Matters: Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla receives the Ashok Chakra for his pioneering ISS mission, marking a new era for India's space program.