Why in the news?
President approved 127 Gallantry awards & 40 Distinguished Service awards on eve of 79th Independence Day.
About Gallantry Awards:
- Objective: Recognitions given for acts of bravery, valour or self-sacrifice both during wartime and peacetime.
- Conferred by: President, who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces
- Ministry: Ministry of Defence invites recommendations twice in a year from the Armed Forces and Union Ministry of Home Affairs for gallantry awards.
- Announced twice in a year - First on occasion of Republic Day and then on occasion of Independence Day.
- History of Gallantry Awards:
- Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra & Vir Chakra: Instituted in January 26, 1950 (effective from August 15, 1947).
- Ashok Chakra Class First, Ashok Chakra Class Second & Ashok Chakra Class Third: Instituted in 1952 (Effective from August 15, 1947).
- Renamed: Ashok Chakra Class First, Second, and Third were renamed as Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively in January 1967.
- Benefits: The awardees receive monthly monetary allowance, travel concessions and other benefits.
Types of Gallantry Awards, Criteria, and Benefits:
Category | Name | Features | Eligibility |
Wartime (For acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether of land or at sea or in the air) | Param Vir Chakra | India's highest military decoration, similar to the British Victoria Cross, US Medal of Honor, or French Legion of Honor | All ranks of the Naval, Military, Air, Reserve, and Territorial Forces, including medical and nursing staff, and civilians serving under their direction. |
Mahavir Chakra | Second highest military decoration in India | ||
Vir Chakra | Third highest military decoration in India | ||
Peacetime (Awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle) | Ashoka Chakra | Peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra | All ranks of the Armed Forces, Reserve and Territorial Forces, Nursing Services, Police, Central Para-Military Forces, Railway Protection Force, and civilian citizens. |
Kirti Chakra | Peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra | ||
Shaurya Chakra | Peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra |
Other Distinguished Service Awards:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal: For distinguished service of the most exceptional order.
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal: For distinguished service of an exceptional order.
- Vishisht Seva Medal: For distinguished service of a high order.
- Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal: For distinguished service of the most exceptional order during War/conflict/hostilities.
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal: For distinguished service of an exceptional order during war/conflict/hostilities.
- Yuddh Seva Medal: For distinguished service of a high order during war/conflict/hostilities.
- Sena/Nao Sena/Vayu Sena Medal: Awarded for both i.e. courageous acts as well as Sena Medal for devotion to duty.
