Air Commodore Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, a distinguished officer of the Indian Air Force, has been awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award. President Droupadi Murmu presented this honour during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, recognising Nair’s significant contributions to India’s burgeoning human space exploration initiatives.
This prestigious award highlights Air Commodore Nair’s exceptional professional excellence, steadfast dedication, and mission readiness, particularly during his role as the backup pilot for the Axiom Mission-4 to the International Space Station in June 2025. The Kirti Chakra is part of the Republic Day gallantry awards, acknowledging his pivotal involvement in the Gaganyaan program—India’s ambitious first indigenous human spaceflight mission.
The ceremony showcased a range of gallantry awards presented to various personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, and State/UT Police. In addition to Nair’s award, six Kirti Chakras (including two awarded posthumously), 15 Vir Chakras (three of which were posthumous), and 29 Shaurya Chakras (one being posthumous) were conferred.
Air Commodore Nair, born on August 26, 1976, in Nemmara, Kerala, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer in December 1998 after being awarded the Sword of Honour as the top cadet of his course. Throughout his career, he has logged over 3,000 flying hours on various aircraft, including Su-30 MKI and MiG series jets, and is a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor. He has previously commanded a Su-30 MKI squadron and graduated at the top of his class from the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College.
In 2019, he was selected as one of four Indian Air Force test pilots chosen for astronaut training under the Gaganyaan program. He underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, followed by mission-specific training at ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. These experiences equipped him for the demanding physiological, technical, and operational challenges of human spaceflight.
As the backup pilot for the Axiom Mission-4, Nair demonstrated professionalism and resilience, maintaining full mission readiness while working closely with the primary astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who successfully completed the mission and was awarded the Ashoka Chakra.
The award conferred upon Nair underscores the significance of meticulous preparation and teamwork in India’s human spaceflight program. It reflects the growing capabilities in space exploration through collaboration with international agencies such as NASA and Roscosmos, alongside ISRO’s indigenous efforts. This recognition also serves as motivation for defence aspirants and youth, illustrating how dedication and training can help achieve significant advancements in science and technology.
Air Commodore Nair is married to actress Lenaa, and his journey from a fighter pilot to a Gaganyatri symbolizes the evolving role of the armed forces in fortifying India’s strategic and scientific goals. As the nation gears up for the Gaganyaan mission, the honour awarded to Nair reaffirms India’s commitment to self-reliance in human spaceflight and pays homage to the professionalism of those at the forefront of exploration.
