President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, 29 June 2026 conferred 105 Distinguished Service Decorations on personnel of India's armed forces at the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 (Phase-II) held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. Among the honourees were two of the most prominent faces of Operation Sindoor — Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti and Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai.

Decorations Conferred

The 105 decorations comprised 7 Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medals, 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals, 12 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals, and 56 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, awarded across the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The decorations recognise distinguished service of exceptional order, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Defence.

Operation Sindoor Heroes Honoured

Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, who served as Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) during Operation Sindoor, received the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal — the highest wartime service decoration in its category. A veteran of the Kumaon Regiment, he was attached to the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Army) during the operation.

Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, AVSM, VM, Flying (Pilot), was also awarded the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for his pivotal role in Indian Air Force (IAF) actions during Operation Sindoor. He had drawn wide attention during a media briefing on the operation when he quoted the Ramcharitmanas: 'Vinay na maanat jaladh jad gaye teen din beeti. Bole Ram sakop tab, bhay binu hoye na preeti' — meaning, 'The ocean, unmoved by polite requests, remained obstinate for three days. Then Lord Rama, in anger, said — without fear, love does not arise.'

Other recipients of the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal included Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, PVSM, AVSM, SM, of the Madras Regiment and Headquarters Northern Command; Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, PVSM, AVSM, VM, Flying (Pilot); Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM (Retired); Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, Flying (Pilot) (Retired); and Air Marshal Jeetendra Mishra, AVSM, VSM, Flying (Pilot).

Senior Service Chiefs and Officers Decorated

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM — who assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on 31 May 2026 — was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, presently serving as Vice Chief of the Army Staff and set to take charge as the next Chief of the Army Staff from 30 June 2026, received the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.

Surgeon Rear Admiral (now Surgeon Vice Admiral) Vivek Hande, VSM, and Indian Coast Guard Additional Director General Donny Michael, PTM, TM, both received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.

Significance of the Ceremony

The Defence Investiture Ceremony is held in phases each year, with the President of India personally conferring decorations upon armed forces personnel for valour, distinguished service, and exceptional contributions. This year's Phase-II ceremony is notable for formally recognising the military leadership behind Operation Sindoor, an operation that drew significant national attention. The ceremony underscores the institutional importance India places on acknowledging both wartime operational command and long-term distinguished service across all branches of its defence forces.

With Lieutenant General Seth set to assume the Army's top post the following day, the ceremony also marked a moment of transition at the highest levels of military leadership.