President Droupadi Murmu has approved gallantry awards to 80 military personnel, recognizing their exceptional valor and service on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day.
- The awards include six Kirti Chakras, 16 Shaurya Chakras, 53 Sena Medals, one Nao Sena Medal, and four Vayu Sena Medals.
About Gallantry awards:
- The Government of India has instituted Gallantry Awards to honor acts of bravery and sacrifice by individuals in the Armed Forces, lawfully constituted forces, and civilians.
- These awards are announced twice a year—on Republic Day and Independence Day.
Categories of Gallantry Awards: Gallantry Awards are classified into two categories:
- Gallantry in the Face of Enemy:
- Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
- Mahavir Chakra (MVC)
- Vir Chakra
- Gallantry Other than in the Face of Enemy:
- Ashok Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Shaurya Chakra
Institutional History:
- The first three awards (PVC, MVC, Vir Chakra) were instituted on January 26, 1950, with retroactive effect from August 15, 1947.
- Subsequently, Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II, III were instituted on January 4, 1952, renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra in January 1967.
Order of Precedence:
- Param Vir Chakra
- Ashoka Chakra
- Mahavir Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Vir Chakra
- Shaurya Chakra
Description of Awards:
- Param Vir Chakra (PVC):
- Circular bronze medal with replicas of “Indra’s Vajra” and State Emblem.
- Ribbon: Plain purple.
- Recognizes most conspicuous bravery or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
- Mahavir Chakra (MVC):
- Circular silver medal with a five-pointed heraldic star.
- Ribbon: Half-white and half-orange.
- Awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
- Vir Chakra:
- Circular silver medal with a five-pointed heraldic star and Chakra.
- Ribbon: Half blue and half orange.
- Awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
- Ashok Chakra:
- Circular gold gild medal with a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra.
- Ribbon: Green with an orange vertical line.
- Recognizes conspicuous bravery or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy.
- Kirti Chakra:
- Circular silver medal with a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra.
- Ribbon: Green divided by two orange vertical lines.
- Awarded for conspicuous gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
- Shaurya Chakra:
- Circular bronze medal with a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra.
- Ribbon: Green divided by three vertical lines.
- Awarded for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy.
Investiture Ceremony:
- Gallantry awards are conferred annually at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
- The Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra are conferred during the Republic Day Parade at Rajpath.
Eligibility:
- Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra:
- Eligible categories include officers, personnel of Armed Forces, nursing services, and civilians serving under Armed Forces.
- Criteria include conspicuous bravery, gallantry, and acts of self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy.
- Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra:
- Eligible categories include officers, personnel of Armed Forces, nursing services, and civilians, including police forces.
- Criteria include conspicuous bravery, gallantry, and acts of self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy.
- Awards may be conferred posthumously.
- Recommendations should not involve adverse reports or disciplinary actions.
Selection Process:
- Recommendations are invited twice a year from the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- The Armed Forces initiate cases, which are forwarded through the chain of command.
- Civilian recommendations are invited from State/UT Governments and various organizations.
- Recommendations are scrutinized by committees and submitted to the Central Honours & Awards Committee.
- The Prime Minister and the President approve the awards.
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