Shubham Gupta, SM

Biography

Captain Shubham Gupta hailed from the Taj Ganj area of Agra in Uttar Pradesh and was born on 07 October 1995. From a very young age he displayed a deep admiration for the Armed Forces, and the discipline, courage, and spirit of service associated with military life fascinated him. He pursued his early education at St. George's Inter College, Agra, where his leadership qualities were evident even during his school days. His determination bore fruit in 2015 when, at the age of 19, he was selected through the Technical Entry Scheme (TES), a highly competitive route for young aspirants with a strong academic background in science and technology. He joined the Officers' Training Academy, Gaya, and upon completing his training was commissioned in 2018 as a Lieutenant in the Corps of Signals. His aspirations, however, extended beyond conventional soldiering. Drawn to challenges that demanded extraordinary courage, he volunteered for the Special Forces and, after enduring the gruelling probation and specialised training, earned his place in 9 Para (Special Forces) — one of the most renowned and battle-hardened units of the Indian Army. He was subsequently posted to Jammu and Kashmir, upholding the unit's motto, "Better to die than to be a coward." In November 2023, his unit was deployed in the Rajouri sector as part of Romeo Force. Acting on intelligence about heavily armed terrorists hiding in the Kalakote area of Gulabgarh forest, a joint cordon and search operation was launched on the night of 21/22 November 2023. Captain Shubham led his team as the terrorists opened heavy fire from within a 'dhok'. Realising the danger to his comrades and nearby civilians, he boldly moved out of cover to engage the terrorists directly, inspiring his men. Hit by multiple bullets, he continued to direct his team until he collapsed from his wounds and made the supreme sacrifice. For his extraordinary courage and indomitable spirit, he was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal.