India's first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, who died in a tragic helicopter crash in December, will be posthumously conferred Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award.

The Home Ministry announced the Padma Awards on the eve of 73rd Republic Day. General Rawat was headed to Defence Services Staff College in Wellington to address the faculty and officers of the Staff Course when his chopper crashed due to bad weather in Tamil Nadu.

He was India's, longest-serving four-star General.

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General Rawat's wife Madhulika Rawat and twelve other defence force personnel had also died in the helicopter crash.

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved awards of 384 Gallantry for armed forces personnel and others on the eve of the 73rd Republic Day celebrations, according to the Ministry of Defence.

These include 12 Shaurya Chakras, three Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 81 Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).

President's Medal for Gallantry and President's Medal for Distinguished Services as well as Gallantry Medal and Meritorious Services Medals are awarded to the personnel of armed forces and other services on Republic Day and Independence Day each year.

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