NATIONAL GALLANTRY AWARDS AND HONOURS IN INDIA

National Gallantry Awards in India

Complete List, Types, Eligibility & Details

The National Gallantry Awards in India are among the most prestigious honours given to individuals who display exceptional courage, bravery, and self-sacrifice in service to the nation. These awards recognize acts performed both in the battlefield and during peacetime operations, including rescue missions, counter-terrorism efforts, and life-saving acts.

The Government of India confers these awards twice every year—on Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August)—to honour the bravery of armed forces personnel, paramilitary forces, police, and even civilians.

 

What Are Gallantry Awards?

Gallantry Awards are national honours awarded for acts of bravery and courage in extreme situations. These awards symbolize the highest level of dedication and sacrifice toward the nation.

After independence, India established its own system of gallantry awards on 26 January 1950, effective from 15 August 1947.

Later in 1952, additional peacetime gallantry awards were introduced, which were renamed in 1967.  

 

Types of Gallantry Awards in India

Gallantry Awards in India are broadly classified into two categories:

1. Wartime Gallantry Awards

These are awarded for bravery shown in the presence of the enemy during war.

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC) – Highest
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) – Second Highest
• Vir Chakra – Third Highest

2. Peacetime Gallantry Awards

These are awarded for bravery away from the battlefield, including internal security and rescue operations.

• Ashoka Chakra – Highest
• Kirti Chakra – Second Highest
• Shaurya Chakra – Third Highest

 

Complete List of Gallantry Awards (Order of Precedence)

1.    Param Vir Chakra

2.    Ashoka Chakra

3.    Maha Vir Chakra

4.    Kirti Chakra

5.    Vir Chakra

6.    Shaurya Chakra

 

Detailed Explanation of Each Gallantry Award

1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

• India’s highest military decoration
• Awarded for most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy
• Instituted: 26 January 1950

The Param Vir Chakra represents the ultimate act of bravery and sacrifice in wartime. It is often awarded posthumously and is considered equivalent to the highest military honours in other countries.

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2. Ashoka Chakra

• Highest peacetime gallantry award
• Awarded for bravery away from the battlefield
• Can be given to both military personnel and civilians

It is considered the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra and is awarded for extraordinary courage in situations like terrorist attacks or rescue missions. (Wikipedia)

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3. Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)

• Second-highest wartime gallantry award
• Given for acts of conspicuous gallantry in combat

This award recognizes exceptional bravery shown during operations on land, air, or sea. (Wikipedia)

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4. Kirti Chakra

• Second-highest peacetime gallantry award
• Awarded for bravery in non-war situations

It is equivalent to the Maha Vir Chakra but for peacetime operations.

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5. Vir Chakra

• Third-highest wartime award
• Given for acts of bravery on the battlefield

It is awarded to armed forces personnel who display courage during combat operations.

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6. Shaurya Chakra

• Third-highest peacetime gallantry award
• Awarded for bravery in non-combat situations

It recognizes courage during anti-terror operations, rescue missions, and internal security duties.

 

Eligibility Criteria for Gallantry Awards

Gallantry Awards can be awarded to:

• Members of the Indian Armed Forces
• Personnel of paramilitary forces
• Police forces
• Civilians (for peacetime awards)

These awards are given for:

• Exceptional courage
• Self-sacrifice
• Outstanding devotion to duty

 

Gallantry Awards 2026 – Latest Updates

As per recent updates:

• Gallantry Awards continue to be announced on Republic Day and Independence Day
• In Republic Day 2026, around 70 personnel were honoured, including several posthumous awards
• Awards covered categories like Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra

These awards highlight the bravery of personnel involved in:

• Counter-terrorism operations
• Border security missions
• Rescue and disaster operations

 

Who Confers Gallantry Awards?

All Gallantry Awards are conferred by the President of India, based on recommendations from:

• Ministry of Defence
• Ministry of Home Affairs

 

Importance of Gallantry Awards in India

Gallantry Awards play a crucial role in:

• Honouring the bravery and sacrifice of heroes
• Motivating armed forces and civilians
• Preserving the legacy of national courage
• Inspiring future generations

These awards are not just medals—they represent stories of heroism and patriotism that strengthen national pride.

 

Difference Between Wartime and Peacetime Awards

Feature	Wartime Awards	Peacetime Awards
Situation	During war	Non-war situations
Eligible	Armed forces	Armed forces + civilians
Examples	PVC, MVC, Vir Chakra	Ashoka, Kirti, Shaurya Chakra
Nature	Combat bravery	Internal security, rescue

 

Conclusion

The National Gallantry Awards of India stand as a tribute to the extraordinary courage and sacrifice shown by individuals in the service of the nation. From the battlefield to rescue operations, these awards recognize those who go beyond the call of duty.

With continuous recognition in 2026 and beyond, these honours remain a symbol of India’s respect for its heroes and a reminder that bravery and selflessness are the pillars of a strong nation.

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LIST OF THE NATIONAL GLLANTRY AWARD IN INDIA:

PARAM VIR CHAKRA (PVC)

·         It is India’s highest military decoration gallantry awarded for the highest degree of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It can be , and often has been, awarded posthumously.

·         The Param Vir Chakra was established on January 26, 1950 (the date of India becoming a republic), by the president of India, with effect from August 15, 1947 (the date of Indian independence).

·         It can be awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the Indian military. It is the second highest award of the government of India after Bharat Ratna (amendment in the statute on January 26, 1980 resulted in this order of wearing). It replaced the former British colonial Victoria Cross (VC).

·         The medal, designed by Savitri Khanolkar, is a circular bronze disc 1.375 inches (3.49 cm) in diameter. The state emblem appears in the centre, on a raised circle. Surrounding this four replicas of Indra’s Vajra (the all powerful mythic weapon of the ancient Vedic King of God’s). The decoration is suspended from a straight swivelling suspension bar. It is named on the edge.

·         On the rear, around a plain center, are two legends separated by lotus flowers, the words Param Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English.

·         A purple ribbon, 32 millimetres (1.3 in) long, holds are Param Vir Chakra. The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi, who had donated his bones to the Godes for making Vajra.

MAHA VIR CHAKRA

·         It is the second highest military decoration GLLANTRY AWARD in India and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It may be awarded posthumously. Literally Maha Veer means great warrior.

·         The medal is made of standard silver and is circular in shape. Embossed on the obverse is a five pointed heraldic star with circular center-piece bearing the gilded state emblem of India in the center. The words "Mahavira Chakra" are embossed in Devanagari and English on the reverse with two lotus flowers in the middle. The decoration is worn on the left chest with a half-white and half-orange riband about 3.2 cm in width, the orange being near the left shoulder.

VIR CHAKRA

·         Established by the President of India on 26 January 1950. The statutes were amended 12 January 1952 to readjust the order of wearing as new decorations were established.

·         This gallantry award is presented for acts of bravery in the battlefield. It is third in precedence in the war time gallantry awards and comes agter the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.

·         The medal is 1-3/8 inch circular silver medal. A five pointed star, with the chakra in the center, and, on this, the domed gilded state emblem. The decoration is named on the rim and suspended from a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The decoration is almost always named and dated on the edge. Around a plain center, two legends separated by lotus flowers; above Vir Chakra in Hindi and in English. The ribbon is 32 mm, half dark blue and half orange-saffron. Dark blue 16 mm, saffron 16 mm.

ASHOK CHAKRA

·         It is also one of the gallantry awards in india. This military decoration is awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacriice away from the battlefield. It is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice” other than in the face of the enemy.

·         The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel and may be awarded posthumously. It replaced the British George Cross.

KIRTI CHAKRA

·         This military decoration is awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.

·         It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards; it comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra.

SHAURAY CHAKRA

·         This military decoration is awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice, hwile not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personel, sometimes posthumously.

·         It is peacetime equivalent of hte Vir Chakra. It is generally awarded for counter-

      insurgency operations and actions against the enemy during peace-time. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards and comes after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. It precedes the Sena Medal.

SENA MEDAL

·         It is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, “for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army. “ Awards may be made posthumously and a bar is authorized for subsequent awards of the Sena Medal.

·         It is awarded for gallantry. However, the Sena medal (Distinguished) is given for distinguished service carried out by any soldier, not in the face of the enemy. The Sena Medal also serves as a sort of general commendation medal for the Indian Army.

·         It is preceded by the Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Yudh Seva medal. It is turn precedes the Vishisht Seva Medal.

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