New Delhi, June 29: President Droupadi Murmu conferred 105 Distinguished Service Decorations upon personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-II) held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. The prestigious military honours recognise exceptional leadership, distinguished service and outstanding devotion to duty by serving and retired personnel who have made significant contributions to India’s national security and defence preparedness. The ceremony was attended by senior military commanders, government officials and distinguished guests, reflecting the nation’s gratitude towards its Armed Forces.
105 Distinguished Service Awards Presented
During the ceremony, the President presented a total of 105 Distinguished Service Decorations, comprising:
- 07 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals (SYSM)
- 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM)
- 12 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM)
- 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM)
These honours are awarded for distinguished service of an exceptional order during war, conflict, operational deployments and peacetime military service. The awards recognise exemplary leadership, operational excellence, professional competence and sustained dedication in safeguarding India’s national interests.
Highest Wartime Distinguished Service Honour
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, India’s highest distinguished service decoration awarded for exceptional service during war, conflict or hostilities, was conferred on seven senior military officers.
Among the recipients were Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, retired Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, and retired Air Marshals Narmdeshwar Tiwari and Jeetendra Mishra.
The recognition highlights their exceptional leadership in operational planning, military preparedness and strategic command responsibilities.
Param Vishisht Seva Medal Awardees
The Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), awarded for the most exceptional distinguished service, was presented to 30 officers from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
Among the prominent recipients were Vice Admiral (now Admiral) Krishna Swaminathan, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Air Marshal Seethepalli Shrinivas, Lieutenant General Sumer Ivan D’Cunha, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Vice Admiral Atul Anand, along with several senior serving and retired officers from all three services.
The award acknowledges sustained distinguished service at the highest levels of military leadership and administration.
Uttam Yudh Seva Medals Recognise Operational Leadership
The Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) was conferred upon 12 senior officers for distinguished operational service during conflict and military operations.
Recipients include Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Command, Lieutenant General Prasanna Kishore Mishra, General Officer Commanding, 16 Corps, Lieutenant General Abhijit S. Pendharkar, Lieutenant General Gambhir Singh, Lieutenant General Rajan Sharawat, Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, Air Marshal Manish Khanna, Air Marshal Praveen Keshav Vohra, Air Commodore Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, Air Commodore Prabhat Malik, and Group Captain Kamran Nazeer.
Several awardees have played key roles in operational commands responsible for India’s sensitive northern and northeastern frontiers.
56 Officers Receive Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), awarded for distinguished service of an exceptional order, was presented to 56 serving and retired officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.
The recipients include senior commanders from operational formations, technical branches, logistics, medical services, engineering corps, aviation units and the Coast Guard. Among them were Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry, Lieutenant General Neeraj Varshney, Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella, Vice Admiral Anand Y. Sardesai, Vice Admiral Rajat Kapoor, Vice Admiral Srinivas Kudaravalli, Vice Admiral Susheel Menon, Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, and Additional Director General Donny Michael of the Indian Coast Guard.
Notably, Subedar H. Hokato Sema of 9 Assam Regiment was also honoured with the AVSM, highlighting recognition of distinguished service across all ranks.
Recognising Excellence Across the Armed Forces
The awardees represent a broad spectrum of operational and administrative responsibilities across the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and the Indian Coast Guard. Their service spans frontline operational commands, strategic planning, military aviation, engineering, logistics, intelligence, communications, medical support and force modernisation.
Officials said the decorations recognise decades of dedicated service, exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment towards safeguarding India’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interests.
Nation Honours Its Military Leadership
The Defence Investiture Ceremony remains one of the most prestigious annual military events in India, where gallantry and distinguished service awards approved by the President are formally presented to serving and retired personnel.
By honouring officers who have demonstrated extraordinary professional excellence and operational leadership, the ceremony reinforces the nation’s appreciation for the Armed Forces and their continued contribution to national security.
The investiture also reflects the Government of India’s commitment to recognising outstanding military service while inspiring future generations of soldiers, sailors, air warriors and Coast Guard personnel to uphold the highest traditions of professionalism, courage and selfless service.