If you are preparing for the NDA 2025 or CDS 2025 exam, keeping track of current affairs is as important as mastering Mathematics or English. Among current affairs, awards and recognitions are highly significant. They are often asked in the GK section, used as essay/GD examples, and even tested during SSB interviews.
In this detailed guide by THE LAKSHYA ACADEMY, we cover the most important Gallantry, Civilian, Sports, and Film Awards of 2025 that every defence aspirant must know.
🪖 Gallantry Awards & Defence Honours 2025
Republic Day Gallantry Awards (January 2025)
- 93 Gallantry Awards were presented, including:
- 2 Kirti Chakras (1 posthumous)
- 14 Shaurya Chakras (3 posthumous)
- 66 Sena Medals (7 posthumous)
- 2 Nau Sena Medals
- 8 Vayu Sena Medals
2. Additionally, 305 Distinguished Service Awards were approved:
- 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM)
- 5 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM)
- 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM)
These awards honoured brave hearts serving in operations such as Rakshak, Snow Leopard, and Hifazat.
Independence Day Gallantry Awards (August 2025)
Operation Sindoor heroes were recognised with:
- 15 Vir Chakras
- 127 Gallantry Awards in total
- 40 Distinguished Service Awards
- Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma and Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai were honoured with the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal for exceptional leadership.
Special Mention
- A rare honour: Lt. Gen. Sadhana S. Nair (AVSM) and her son Sqn. Ldr. Tarun Nair (Shaurya Chakra) became the first mother-son duo to be awarded in the same year.
👉 Join our Telegram for Daily Current Affairs & Defence GK Notes
https://t.me/LAKSHYAACADEMYDEFENCE
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for NDA/CDS Exam Updates & Video Classes
https://www.youtube.com/@THELAKSHYAACADEMY/featured
🎖 Civilian Awards 2025
Padma Awards 2025
- A total of 139 Padma Awards were conferred.
- Categories: Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri.
- Notably, 30 personalities were recognised for contributions to literature and education.
International Recognition
- Indian NGO Educate Girls became the first Indian non-profit to win the Ramon Magsaysay Award 2025 for its groundbreaking work in girls’ education.
🏆 Sports Awards 2025
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
Awarded to:
- Manu Bhaker (Shooting)
- D. Gukesh (Chess)
- Harmanpreet Singh (Hockey)
- Praveen Kumar (Para-Athletics)
Arjuna Awards & Lifetime Honour
- Winners included Jyothi Yarraji, Annu Rani, Kapil Parmar, Preeti Pal and others.
- Murlikant Rajaram Petkar, India’s first Paralympic gold medallist, received a Lifetime Arjuna Award.
Dronacharya Awards
- Deepali Deshpande (Shooting coach)
- Armando Agnelo Colaco (Football coach)
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
- Awarded to the Physical Education Foundation of India for promoting grassroots sports.
BCCI Naman Awards (Cricket)
- Sachin Tendulkar – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Jasprit Bumrah – Best International Cricketer (Men)
- Smriti Mandhana – Best International Cricketer (Women) & Highest ODI Run-Getter
- Sarfaraz Khan, Asha Sobhana – Best Debut (Men/Women)
- Deepti Sharma – Highest ODI Wickets
- Ravichandran Ashwin – Special Award
👉 Join our Telegram for Daily Current Affairs & Defence GK Notes
https://t.me/LAKSHYAACADEMYDEFENCE
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for NDA/CDS Exam Updates & Video Classes
https://www.youtube.com/@THELAKSHYAACADEMY/featured
🎬 Film & Entertainment Awards 2025
71st National Film Awards (August 2025)
- Best Feature Film: 12th Fail
- Best Actor: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan), Vikrant Massey (12th Fail)
- Best Actress: Rani Mukerji (Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway)
- Best Director: Sudipto Sen (The Kerala Story)
Filmfare Awards Bangla (March 2025)
- Best Film: Bohurupi
- Best Director: Nandita Roy & Shiboprosad Mukherjee (Bohurupi)
- Best Actor: Shiboprosad Mukherjee (Bohurupi)
- Best Actress: Subhashree Ganguly (Babli)
IIFA Awards 2025
Best Film: Laapataa Ladies
- Best Director: Kiran Rao (Laapataa Ladies)
- Best Actor (Male): Kartik Aaryan (Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3)
- Best Actor (Female): Nitanshi Goel (Laapataa Ladies)
- Supporting Actor: Janki Bodiwala (Shaitaan)
📌 Why These Awards Matter for NDA & CDS Aspirants
- Written Exam – Awards are frequently asked in GK and Current Affairs.
- SSB Interview – Awareness of Gallantry Awards reflects respect for military traditions.
- Essay & GD – Using examples of achievers makes your answers stronger.
- Overall Awareness – Knowing both defence and cultural awards shows balanced knowledge.
Quick Recap Table
Category Key Highlights 2025
Gallantry Awards Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Vir Chakra, Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
Civilian Awards 139 Padma Awards, Ramon Magsaysay (Educate Girls)
Sports Awards Khel Ratna (Bhaker, Gukesh, Harmanpreet, Praveen), BCCI Naman Awards
Film Awards 12th Fail, SRK, Vikrant Massey, Rani Mukerji, Laapataa Ladies
🚀 Stay Connected with THE LAKSHYA ACADEMY
Stay ahead in your NDA & CDS preparation with our award updates, current affairs classes, and expert strategies.
👉 Join our Telegram for Daily Current Affairs & Defence GK Notes
https://t.me/LAKSHYAACADEMYDEFENCE
👉 Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for NDA/CDS Exam Updates & Video Classes
https://www.youtube.com/@THELAKSHYAACADEMY/featured
✅ Conclusion
The year 2025 has been rich with stories of bravery, excellence, and creativity—from the Operation Sindoor heroes to sports icons like Manu Bhaker and films like 12th Fail.
For an NDA or CDS aspirant, mastering these award updates not only helps in the exam but also in SSB interviews where awareness and articulation matter.
At THE LAKSHYA ACADEMY, we ensure that our students are always updated with the latest current affairs, guiding them towards becoming the future leaders of the Armed Forces.
✨ Jai Hind! ✨
