Agniveer Kulbir Singh, serving with the 7th Sikh Light Infantry, has become the first Agniveer recruited under the Agnipath scheme to be awarded the Sena Medal (Gallantry), a recognised Indian Army gallantry decoration, for his actions in an operational scenario along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Gallantry Award and Ceremony
Kulbir Singh’s accolade was presented during the Army Day Investiture Ceremony held on 15 January 2026 in Jaipur, in conjunction with the 78th Army Day celebrations. The Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, presented the Sena Medal (Gallantry), recognising his courage and presence of mind in a challenging operational situation.
The Sena Medal (Gallantry) is conferred for individual acts of exceptional courage, outstanding leadership, or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. This decoration is part of India’s official military honours system.
Act of Gallantry on the Line of Control
According to official accounts, the incident for which Kulbir Singh was decorated occurred in January 2025, when he was deployed at a forward Indian Army post along the Line of Control. During his duty, terrorists attempted to infiltrate Indian territory under cover of difficult terrain and low visibility.
Displaying alertness, courage, and decisive action, Kulbir Singh engaged the infiltrators with his Light Machine Gun (LMG). His accurate and sustained fire forced them to abandon their attempt and retreat back across the border, preventing a potential security threat. His conduct under pressure reflected combat readiness and professional excellence in an active operational environment.
Significance for the Agnipath Scheme
The Agnipath scheme, initiated in 2022, is India’s short-term military recruitment model that brings young recruits, known as Agniveers, into the Indian Armed Forces for a fixed tenure of service, with a portion offered the possibility of permanent induction based on merit, discipline, and performance.
Kulbir Singh’s Sena Medal (Gallantry) marks a historic milestone as it is the first time an Agniveer has been recognised with a frontline gallantry award. It underscores that Agniveers can perform frontline combat duties with courage and professionalism, contributing meaningfully to operational tasks alongside regularly commissioned soldiers.
As 2026 completes four years since the launch of Agnipath, the decoration of Kulbir Singh is widely seen as a symbolic moment in the evolution of the scheme and its integration into the Army’s operational framework.
Broader Context
At the same Army Day ceremony, ten individual soldiers were honoured with Sena Medals (Gallantry) for acts of bravery, and several Army units were recognised with citations and appreciations for distinguished performance, including during Operation Sindoor.
Kulbir Singh’s award has been noted as an inspiration to young aspirants and as reaffirming the Indian Army’s emphasis on merit and courage regardless of the entry path.
Closing Thought
Agniveer Kulbir Singh’s gallantry recognition as the first Agnipath recruit to receive the Sena Medal (Gallantry)highlights how young soldiers under this recruitment model are contributing to India’s defence with professionalism and bravery. His actions on the Line of Control reflect the Army’s continuing commitment to defending the nation’s borders under challenging circumstances.