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Gallantry Awards for Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA

Gallantry Awards

The Government of India has established Gallantry Awards to recognize and commend acts of courage and selflessness displayed by members of the Armed Forces, as well as individuals from legally constituted Forces and civilians. These awards are awarded twice annually: once during Republic Day celebrations and again during Independence Day commemorations. The purpose of these honors is to acknowledge and pay tribute to instances of bravery and sacrifice.

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army

In this article, we will provide you with the proper detailed information about various awards for acts of bravery and service to the Republic of India. The request of priority of these honours is The Param Vir Chakra, The Mahavir Chakra, The Ashoka Chakra, The Kirti Chakra, The Vir Chakra and The Shaurya Chakra.

List of Gallantry Awards in Indian Army

The Indian Army bestows various prestigious Gallantry Awards to honour the exceptional bravery, valour, and sacrifice of its soldiers. These awards recognize acts of gallantry and distinguished service in the face of adversity. Here is a list of some of the prominent Gallantry Awards conferred by the Indian Army:

1. Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_30.1
Instituted on 26 Jan 1950, to recognize the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
Medal: Circular in shape, made of bronze, one and three eighth inches in diameter and on the obverse, four replicas of “Indra’s Vajra” with the State Emblem (including the motto), embossed in the centre. On its reverse, it shall have embossed Param Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English.  The fitting will be swivel mounting.
Ribbon: Plain purple coloured ribbon.
Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of bravery, as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended. For every Bar awarded, a replica of the “Indra’s Vajra” in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
The decoration is worn on the left breast with a plain purple coloured riband about 3.2 cm in width.

2. Gallantry Awards: Mahavir Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_40.1

Instituted on 26 Jan 1950 to recognise the act of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Medal: Circular in shape and made of standard silver, and is embossed on the obverse a five-pointed heraldic star with the points of the star just touching the rim. The medal shall be one and three-eighth inches in diameter.  The State emblem (including the motto) is embossed in the centrepiece which is adorned.  The star is polished and the centrepiece is in gold gilt.

On the reverse, it will have embossed Mahavir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English.  The fitting is swivel mounting.

Ribbon: The ribbon is of a half-white and half-orange colour.

Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of bravery, as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery will be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the chakra is suspended.

For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

3. Gallantry Awards: Ashoka Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_50.1Instituted on 04 Jan 1952 and renamed on 27 Jan 1967 to recognize the most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
Medal: Circular in shape, one and three eighth inches in diameter with rims on both sides and will be of gold-gilt.  On the obverse, it shall have embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre surrounded by a lotus wreath.
On its reverse shall be embossed the words “Ashoka Chakra” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into two equal segments by an orange vertical line.
Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added.
For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

4. Gallantry Awards: Kirti Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_60.1The Kirti Chakra award for gallantry was first instituted on 04 Jan1952 as Ashoka Chakra class -II.  It was redesignated as Kirti Chakra on 27 Jan 1967.
Medal: Circular in shape and made of standard silver, one and three eight inches in diameter.  On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. On its reverse shall be embossed the words KIRTI CHAKRA both in Hindi and in English the versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into three equal parts by two orange vertical lines.
Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended. For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

5. Gallantry Awards: Vir Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_70.1Instituted on 26 Jan 1950 and awarded for acts of Gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
Medal: Circular in shape and made of standard silver, and is embossed on the obverse a five-pointed heraldic star with the points of the star just touching the rim.  The State Emblem (including the motto) is embossed in the centrepiece which is domed.
The star is polished and the centrepiece is in gold gilt.  On the reverse, it will emboss Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English wording.  The fitting is swivel mounting.
Ribbon:  The ribbon is half blue and half orange in colour.
Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of bravery, as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery will be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended.
Any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

6. Gallantry Awards: Shaurya Chakra

Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_80.1Instituted on 4 Jan 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-III and renamed on 27 Jan 1967 as Shaurya Chakra and awarded for gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
Medal: Circular in shape and of bronze, one and three-eighth inches in diameter. On the obverse of the medal shall have embossed a replica of Ashoka Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. On its reverse shall be embossed the words “SHAURYA CHAKRA” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into four equal parts by three vertical lines.
Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of gallantry as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry will be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended. For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.
Sleep peacefully at your homes, Indian Army is guarding the frontiers.
Gallantry Awards in Indian Army, Important for CDS and NDA_90.1

FAQs

What are Gallantry Awards in the Indian Army?

Gallantry Awards are prestigious honors bestowed upon Indian Army personnel to recognize acts of exceptional bravery, valor, and sacrifice in the face of adversity.

What is the highest Gallantry Award in the Indian Army?

The highest Gallantry Award in the Indian Army is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which is awarded for the most conspicuous acts of bravery in the presence of the enemy.

How are Gallantry Awards in the Indian Army conferred?

Gallantry Awards in the Indian Army are conferred by the President of India on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence. The awards are announced on Republic Day and Independence Day.

Are Gallantry Awards limited to times of war?

No, Gallantry Awards are not limited to times of war. They can be awarded for acts of exceptional bravery and valor in both wartime and peacetime situations.

What is the purpose of giving Gallantry Awards?

The Government of India has established Gallantry Awards to recognize and commend acts of courage and selflessness displayed by members of the Armed Forces, as well as individuals from legally constituted Forces and civilians.