Gallantry Awards Overview

• Independence Day 2024: The President of India approved 103 Gallantry awards for personnel from the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces.

About Gallantry Awards

1. Order of Precedence:

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest wartime gallantry award, awarded for acts of conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
• Ashoka Chakra (AC): India's highest peacetime gallantry award, given for acts of bravery or self-sacrifice beyond the call of duty in peacetime.
• Mahavir Chakra (MVC): The second-highest wartime gallantry award, recognizing distinguished acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
• Kirti Chakra (KC): The second-highest peacetime gallantry award, similar to the Ashoka Chakra but for actions in peacetime.
• Vir Chakra (VC): Awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy during wartime.
• Shaurya Chakra (SC): Given for gallantry in peacetime, analogous to the Vir Chakra but awarded during peacetime.

2. Announcement Schedule:

• Republic Day: The first announcement of gallantry awards each year is made on January 26.
• Independence Day: The second announcement of gallantry awards each year is made on August 15.

3. Instituted Awards:

• Wartime Gallantry Awards:
• Param Vir Chakra: Instituted in 1950.
• Maha Vir Chakra: Instituted in 1950.
• Vir Chakra: Instituted in 1950.
• Peacetime Gallantry Awards:
• Ashoka Chakra (Class-I, Class-II, Class-III): Instituted in 1952, later renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra in 1967.

Key Details:

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC): Recognizes the most extraordinary acts of valor and bravery.
• Ashoka Chakra (AC): Honors acts of bravery or self-sacrifice that are not related to direct combat.
• Mahavir Chakra (MVC): Awarded for acts of gallantry that go beyond ordinary bravery in combat.
• Kirti Chakra (KC): Given for bravery in non-combat situations or during peacetime.
• Vir Chakra (VC): Recognizes bravery and valor in combat.
• Shaurya Chakra (SC): Awarded for acts of bravery and distinguished service in peacetime.

The Gallantry Awards serve to honor and recognize the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of individuals who have performed acts of exceptional bravery in both wartime and peacetime conditions.