This year 2021 The Shaurya Chakra has been conferred to six army personnel. Among these are Major Arun Kumar Pandey, Major Ravi Kumar Chaudhary, Captain Vikas Khatri, RFN Mukesh Kumar, SEP Neeraj Ahlawat. Captain Ashutosh Kumar has been awarded posthumously.

Babu Ram, ASI, J&K Police will be awarded posthumously Ashok Chakra - the highest peacetime military decoration.

Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army, and one has been from the Indian Air Force. Major Somnath Sharma, was the first recipient.

Naik Narbahadur Thapa, Havildar Bachittar Singh and Flight Lieutenant Suhas Biswas were the first recipient of the Ashoka Chakra.

First three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947