List of Gallantry Awards in India

India has a rich tradition of honoring its brave soldiers who show exceptional courage in battle. These honors, known as gallantry awards in India, recognize soldiers who risk their lives to protect our country. From the highest honor, the Param Vir Chakra, to other important awards like the Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, these medals tell stories of amazing bravery.

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List of Main Gallantry Awards in India

Below is a quick view of India’s principal decorations:

• Param Vir Chakra – India’s highest honor for battlefield bravery.

• Maha Vir Chakra – Second in order of precedence for valor under fire.

• Vir Chakra – Third highest wartime award for courage in action.

• Ashok Chakra – Top peacetime gallantry award for bravery away from the battlefield.

• Kirti Chakra – Second peacetime gallantry honor.

• Shaurya Chakra – Third peacetime award for gallantry.

1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military honor. It stands at the top of all gallantry awards in India. The words "Param Vir" mean "Ultimate Brave" in Sanskrit. This award is given for the most outstanding acts of bravery during battle.

Since it was created in 1950, only 21 brave soldiers have received this award, and 14 of them received it after they died. The Param Vir Chakra medal has a bronze circle with the national emblem in the center. It hangs from a purple ribbon.

Some famous Param Vir Chakra winners include:

- Major Somnath Sharma (1947 Indo-Pak War)

- Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria (Congo, 1961)

- Major Shaitan Singh (1962 Indo-China War)

- Captain Vikram Batra (1999 Kargil War)

2. Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)

The Maha Vir Chakra is the second-highest wartime gallantry award in India. "Maha Vir" means "Great Warrior." This award recognizes acts of bravery that, while not quite reaching the level of the Param Vir Chakra, still show exceptional courage.

The Maha Vir Chakra :The medal is made of standard silver and has the Indian state emblem on one side. The medal hangs from a half-white, half-orange ribbon.

Notable recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra include:

- Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

- Air Marshal Manjit Singh Sekhon

- Lieutenant General Sagat Singh

3. Vir Chakra (VC)

The Vir Chakra is the third in line among wartime gallantry awards. "Vir" means "Brave" or "Hero." This award honors acts of bravery during battle that don't meet the standards for the higher awards but still deserve recognition.

The Vir Chakra: The medal is made of standard silver and shows a five-pointed star. It hangs from a blue ribbon with an orange vertical stripe.

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Peacetime Gallantry Awards

India also recognizes bravery shown when there is no war. These gallantry awards in India honor those who show courage during peace time:

1 Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime gallantry award. It honors acts of bravery not on the battlefield. This might include fighting terrorists, saving people during disasters, or other dangerous situations.

The Ashoka Chakra is equal to the Param Vir Chakra in importance, but for actions not during war. The medal shows the Ashoka Chakra (wheel) on a circular gold medal. It hangs from a green ribbon.

Notable recipients include:

- Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan (26/11 Mumbai attacks)

- Neerja Bhanot (Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking)

- Hangpan Dada (counter-terrorism operations)

2. Kirti Chakra

The Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award in India. Like the Maha Vir Chakra, it recognizes great bravery, but for actions not during war.

The medal is made of silver and shows the national emblem surrounded by a lotus wreath. It hangs from a green ribbon with orange edges.

3. Shaurya Chakra

The Shaurya Chakra is the third in line among peacetime gallantry awards. "Shaurya" means "Courage" in Sanskrit. Many soldiers fighting terrorism in places like Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast have received this award.

The Shaurya Chakra: The medal is bronze with the national emblem in the center. It hangs from a green ribbon with vertical orange stripes.

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Police Medals for Gallantry

Besides military honors, India also has special gallantry awards for police officers:

1. President's Police Medal for Gallantry

This is the highest police medal for showing exceptional courage. Police officers who risk their lives to protect citizens can receive this award.

2. Police Medal for Gallantry

This is given to police officers who show bravery in the line of duty but at a level below what's needed for the President's medal.

The Importance of Gallantry Awards

These gallantry awards in India do more than just honor individuals. They:

1. Inspire Others: Young people join the armed forces inspired by the stories of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra winners.

2. Preserve History: Each gallantry award tells a story of courage that becomes part of our nation's history.

3. Honor Sacrifice: Many recipients of army gallantry awards receive them after they have died. These awards help remember their ultimate sacrifice.

4. Boost Morale: When a soldier receives a Vir Chakra or Shaurya Chakra, it boosts the morale of their entire unit.

Benefits Given to Gallantry Award Winners

The recipients of gallantry awards in India receive several benefits:

1. Financial Rewards: Winners receive one-time payments and sometimes monthly payments for life.

2. Travel Benefits: Many award winners can travel for free on trains or buses.

3. Educational Benefits: Children of award winners often get special consideration for admission to educational institutions.

4. Employment Opportunities: Many states offer government jobs to winners of high gallantry awards.

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Interesting Facts About Indian Gallantry Awards

- The designs for the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra were created by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar, who was actually born in Switzerland.

- Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only Indian Air Force officer to receive the Param Vir Chakra.

- Subedar Major Bana Singh is one of the few Param Vir Chakra winners still alive today.

- The youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra was Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was only 21 when he showed incredible bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

- The Maha Vir Chakra  has been awarded over 200 times since its creation.

How Gallantry Awards Are Decided

The process of selecting who receives gallantry awards in India is very careful:

1. Recommendation: A senior officer recommends a soldier for an award based on their actions.

2. Review: The recommendation goes through several levels of review in the military.

3. Committee Decision: A special committee makes the final decision about which gallantry award is right.

4. Presidential Approval: The President of India gives final approval for all gallantry awards.

Gallantry awards in India represent the highest ideals of courage and sacrifice. From the Param Vir Chakra to the Shaurya Chakra, these honors tell the stories of extraordinary Indians who put the nation before themselves.

The next time you see a soldier wearing ribbons that represent the  Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, or other army gallantry award.

 Remember that behind each medal is a story of exceptional bravery. These awards help us remember the courage shown by our armed forces and inspire future generations to serve the nation with the same dedication.

These brave men and women, decorated with various gallantry awards, remind us that true heroes exist not just in movies but in real life too, protecting our borders and keeping us safe.

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Gallantry Award in India FAQs

1.What is the highest gallantry award in India?

The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military gallantry award given for the most exceptional bravery in the presence of the enemy. For peacetime acts of bravery, the Ashoka Chakra is the highest honor.

2. How many Param Vir Chakras have been awarded so far?

Since its creation in 1950, only 21 brave soldiers have received the Param Vir Chakra, and 14 of these were awarded after the recipient had died (posthumously).

3. When are gallantry awards presented in India?

Gallantry awards in India are typically presented on two national occasions - Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) each year.

4. Can civilians receive gallantry awards in India?

Yes, civilians can receive certain gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra for acts of bravery not on the battlefield.