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From Param Vir Chakra to Shaurya Chakra: Facts on the 6 gallantry awards of India
India's gallantry awards stand as the nation's highest recognition of courage, whether shown in the face of the enemy or in moments of peril far from the of these -- the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), and Vir Chakra (VrC) -- were instituted on January 26, 1950, but their effect was backdated to 15 August 1947, the day India gained other three -- first known as Ashoka Chakra Class I, Class II, and Class III -- were established on January 4, 1952 and also deemed effective from August 15, 1947. On January 27, 1967, these were renamed the Ashoka Chakra (AC), Kirti Chakra (KC), and Shaurya Chakra (SC).
Gallantry awards are announced twice a year: on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15).While many are presented later at the Defence Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Ashoka Chakra -- and the Param Vir Chakra, when awarded -- are typically conferred by the President during the Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path (renamed from Rajpath in 2022).Here are a few facts on the 6 gallantry awards of India arranged according to their level of honour:PARAM VIR CHAKRAIndia's highest wartime decoration for valour, given for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy -- on land, at sea, or in the bronze medal bears four replicas of Indra's Vajra with the State Emblem in the reverse has 'Param Vir Chakra' in Hindi and English, separated by two lotus flowers. Its ribbon is plain VIR CHAKRAThe second-highest wartime gallantry award, recognising acts of conspicuous bravery against the standard silver medal carries a five-pointed heraldic star with the points touching the reverse bears the name in Hindi and English, separated by lotus flowers. The ribbon is half white and half CHAKRAThe third in the wartime gallantry hierarchy, awarded for bravery in the presence of the standard silver medal features a five-pointed star with a central Chakra enclosing a gilded State reverse inscription reads 'Vir Chakra' in Hindi and English, separated by lotus ribbon is half blue and half & DesignRibbon1Param Vir ChakraWartimeIndia's highest decoration for bravery against the enemyBronze, four Indra's Vajra + State Emblem, reverse inscription in Hindi/EnglishPlain purple2Maha Vir ChakraWartimeSecond-highest wartime gallantry awardStandard silver, five-pointed heraldic star, reversed name + lotus flowersHalf white and half saffron3Vir ChakraWartimeThird-highest wartime gallantry honourStandard silver, five-pointed star + Chakra + gilded State EmblemHalf blue and half saffron4Ashoka ChakraPeacetimeHighest peacetime gallantry awardGold gilt, Ashoka's Chakra motifDark green with central saffron stripe 5Kirti ChakraPeacetimeSecond-highest peacetime gallantry awardStandard silver, Ashoka Chakra motifGreen with two saffron stripes 6Shaurya ChakraPeacetimeThird-highest peacetime gallantry awardBronze, Ashoka Chakra motifGreen with three saffron stripes ASHOKA CHAKRAadvertisementIndia's highest peacetime gallantry award, given for valour, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from gold gilt medal bears a replica of Ashoka's Chakra in the reverse carries its name in Hindi and English, separated by lotus ribbon is dark green with a central saffron CHAKRAThe second-highest peacetime award, given for acts of conspicuous standard silver medal shares the design of the Ashoka ribbon is green with two saffron CHAKRAAwarded for gallantry during peacetime, often in counter-insurgency operations or rescue bronze medal also matches the Ashoka Chakra design. Its ribbon is green with three saffron stripes.- Ends
