Rakesh Sharma

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Records

Rakesh Sharma's achievements are historic and deeply significant for India. As the first Indian in space, he broke barriers and inspired a generation. His Ashoka Chakra and Order of Lenin are among the highest honours a person can receive, and his continued influence on India's space programme is a testament to his enduring legacy. His famous words to Indira Gandhi remain a source of national pride.

AwardsRakesh Sharma has been honoured with the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, and the Soviet Union's Order of Lenin. In 2026, he was announced as the recipient of the Vikram Sarabhai Vigyan Award. He has also received honorary doctorates from several Indian universities.

Honours & Distinctions

Ashoka Chakra

Government of India·1984

Highest peacetime gallantry award

Order of Lenin

Soviet Union·1984

Highest civilian honour of the Soviet Union

Vikram Sarabhai Vigyan Award

Vikram Sarabhai Science Foundation·2026

Recognizes contributions to space science

Honorary Doctorate

University of Madras·1990

Honorary degree for contributions to science

Honorary Doctorate

Punjab Technical University·2005

Honorary degree for contributions to aerospace

Records & Feats

First Indian in Space

Historic First·1984

Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian citizen to travel to space aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984.