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Twenty-one unnamed islands that now carry the names of Param Vir Chakra awardees

As the islands return to the news over the Great Nicobar project, their recent map changes are worth recalling.
Twenty-one of the largest unnamed islands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were named after twenty-one Param Vir Chakra awardees.
The largest of them was named after the first Param Vir Chakra awardee, Major Somnath Sharma, with each subsequent island named in order of size.
The ceremony was held on Parakram Diwas, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
A model of a National Memorial dedicated to Netaji, to be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, was unveiled at the same event.
Ross Island had earlier been renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island became Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island became Swaraj Dweep.

Islands named: 21 Largest island named after: Major Somnath Sharma Ross Island is now: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep
Why it matters for exams: The island renamings and the first Param Vir Chakra awardee are among the most asked static facts about these islands.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
16 October 2026 Source: Press Information Bureau

In plain words

Param Vir Chakra India's highest wartime gallantry award — Awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.

Parakram Diwas Day of valour — The day observed on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's birth anniversary.

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