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Major Arshdeep Singh Gill Receives Indias Second-Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award
Major Arshdeep Singh Gill, a former civil‑engineering student of Chandigarh University, was awarded the Kirti Chakra by President Droupadi Murmu during a Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, on 12 June 2026. The Kirti Chakra is the country’s second‑highest peacetime gallantry award, given for “valour, courageous action or self‑sacrifice away from the field of battle.”
Gill, who hails from Mohali and serves in the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps, was attached to 1 Assam Rifles when he led a high‑risk counter‑insurgency operation in Manipur in May 2025. According to the press release, the mission lasted nearly 84 hours and was completed without any casualties, a result attributed to Gill’s “extraordinary bravery and leadership” and “exceptional precision and composure.” The operation was described as “prolonged and complex,” with Gill guiding his troops through difficult terrain and adverse conditions.
Chandigarh University, where Gill earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 2014, highlighted the award’s significance for the institution. Senior Managing Director Deepinder Singh Sandhu said, “Major Gill led his team through a prolonged and complex operation against armed militants, demonstrating remarkable determination and operational leadership under demanding conditions.” He added that the award “has brought pride not only to his family and colleagues but also to Chandigarh University family” and that Gill’s conduct “is an example of courage, professionalism and dedication to national service.”
The university also noted its long‑standing commitment to nurturing military talent. Sandhu emphasized the role of the university’s National Cadet Corps (NCC) wing, stating that it has produced 55 officers commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces. He further highlighted the Armed Forces Educational Welfare Scheme (AFEWS), which reserves seats and offers fee concessions for wards and spouses of defence martyrs, war widows, and disabled personnel. The Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra Scholarship, a special support program for families of Kargil War heroes, was also mentioned.
Gill’s attachment to 1 Assam Rifles places him within a force that has historically guarded the Indo‑Myanmar border and conducted counter‑insurgency operations across Northeast India. The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs but operationally controlled by the Army, has a long record of involvement in internal security missions.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, saw President Murmu presenting the Kirti Chakra to several Army and paramilitary personnel. The ceremony is a formal recognition of service members who have displayed exceptional courage in peacetime operations.
The award underscores the importance of disciplined leadership in complex counter‑insurgency environments. Gill’s success in Manipur, achieved over 84 hours without loss of life, demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated planning and execution in high‑risk operations.
Chandigarh University’s emphasis on integrating academic excellence with a “Nation First” ethos is reflected in Gill’s career path—from engineering student to decorated Army officer. The university’s NCC wing and welfare schemes aim to support the families of service members, reinforcing the community’s link to national defence.
The Kirti Chakra, instituted in 1967, sits below the Ashoka Chakra and above the Shaurya Chakra in the order of precedence for peacetime gallantry awards. It is awarded to both civilians and military personnel for acts of bravery away from the battlefield.
Gill’s recognition is a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in India’s northeastern states and the critical role played by Army units such as the Assam Rifles. The award also highlights the contributions of educational institutions in shaping disciplined, service‑oriented leaders.
As of now, the award ceremony has concluded, and Major Gill has been formally presented with the Kirti Chakra. No further legal or investigative proceedings are reported. The Indian Army has not announced any additional actions related to the Manipur operation.
The award ceremony and Gill’s commendation are expected to inspire both current students and future officers, reinforcing the values of courage, professionalism, and dedication to national service.
Gill, who hails from Mohali and serves in the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps, was attached to 1 Assam Rifles when he led a high‑risk counter‑insurgency operation in Manipur in May 2025. According to the press release, the mission lasted nearly 84 hours and was completed without any casualties, a result attributed to Gill’s “extraordinary bravery and leadership” and “exceptional precision and composure.” The operation was described as “prolonged and complex,” with Gill guiding his troops through difficult terrain and adverse conditions.
Chandigarh University, where Gill earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering in 2014, highlighted the award’s significance for the institution. Senior Managing Director Deepinder Singh Sandhu said, “Major Gill led his team through a prolonged and complex operation against armed militants, demonstrating remarkable determination and operational leadership under demanding conditions.” He added that the award “has brought pride not only to his family and colleagues but also to Chandigarh University family” and that Gill’s conduct “is an example of courage, professionalism and dedication to national service.”
The university also noted its long‑standing commitment to nurturing military talent. Sandhu emphasized the role of the university’s National Cadet Corps (NCC) wing, stating that it has produced 55 officers commissioned into the Indian Armed Forces. He further highlighted the Armed Forces Educational Welfare Scheme (AFEWS), which reserves seats and offers fee concessions for wards and spouses of defence martyrs, war widows, and disabled personnel. The Shaheed Captain Vikram Batra Scholarship, a special support program for families of Kargil War heroes, was also mentioned.
Gill’s attachment to 1 Assam Rifles places him within a force that has historically guarded the Indo‑Myanmar border and conducted counter‑insurgency operations across Northeast India. The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs but operationally controlled by the Army, has a long record of involvement in internal security missions.
The Defence Investiture Ceremony, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, saw President Murmu presenting the Kirti Chakra to several Army and paramilitary personnel. The ceremony is a formal recognition of service members who have displayed exceptional courage in peacetime operations.
The award underscores the importance of disciplined leadership in complex counter‑insurgency environments. Gill’s success in Manipur, achieved over 84 hours without loss of life, demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated planning and execution in high‑risk operations.
Chandigarh University’s emphasis on integrating academic excellence with a “Nation First” ethos is reflected in Gill’s career path—from engineering student to decorated Army officer. The university’s NCC wing and welfare schemes aim to support the families of service members, reinforcing the community’s link to national defence.
The Kirti Chakra, instituted in 1967, sits below the Ashoka Chakra and above the Shaurya Chakra in the order of precedence for peacetime gallantry awards. It is awarded to both civilians and military personnel for acts of bravery away from the battlefield.
Gill’s recognition is a reminder of the ongoing security challenges in India’s northeastern states and the critical role played by Army units such as the Assam Rifles. The award also highlights the contributions of educational institutions in shaping disciplined, service‑oriented leaders.
As of now, the award ceremony has concluded, and Major Gill has been formally presented with the Kirti Chakra. No further legal or investigative proceedings are reported. The Indian Army has not announced any additional actions related to the Manipur operation.
The award ceremony and Gill’s commendation are expected to inspire both current students and future officers, reinforcing the values of courage, professionalism, and dedication to national service.
