One Ashok Chakra, six Kirti Chakras and 26 Shaurya Chakras, the top three awards for gallantry during peacetime, were among the 442 awards for armed forces and security personnel announced Monday on the eve of Republic Day.

"Havildar Rajesh Kumar of 11 Rajputana Rifles has been awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously. On Republic Day, the president will confer three Ashok Chakras, including two announced earlier on (Independence Day) August 15 last year," a defence ministry official said on Monday.