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List of Gallantry Awards important for Defence Exams

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: September 25th, 2023

Highest Military Award in India: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during aerial combat with Pakistan in 2019 and was held captive for three days in that country, was on Monday honored with the Vir Chakra award by President Ram Nath Kovind. The fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force has been decorated with India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal for displaying an “exceptional sense of duty” during the dogfight, the award citation said. Awards are tokens of appreciation and honor bestowed on those who have made significant contributions. People in India have been recognizing significant achievements in a variety of sectors, therefore the list of the Highest Military Award in India is extensive.

Table of content

1. Highest Military Award in India:

We hope you are studying well for the upcoming defense exams. Here, we are providing information regarding some notable awards and honors which are relevant for Defence exams.

Highest Military Award in India:

Military Awards or Gallantry Awards are those awards that are presented for exceptional bravery, valor, and distinguished service. They are awarded during times of peace as well as war.

The Military Awards are generally of two types:

Gallantry Awards
Distinguished Service Medals

Gallantry Awards:

War Time	Description	Medal
Param Vir Chakra (PVC)	India’s Highest Wartime Military Decoration. Equivalent to Victoria Cross given in the UK and Medal of Honor given in the USA. Estd. on 26 Jan 1950.
Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)	India’s second-highest wartime Military Decoration. It is awarded for acts of valor in the presence of the enemy. Estd. on 26 Jan 1950.
Vir Chakra (VrC)	India’s wartime acts of bravery on the battlefield. It replaced the British Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross. Estd. on 26 Jan 1950.

Peace Time	Description	Medal
Ashok Chakra (AC)	India’s Highest Peacetime Military Decoration. Equivalent to George Cross given in the UK. Estd. on 4 Jan 1952.
Kirti Chakra (KC)	India’s second Highest Peacetime Military Decoration. It is awarded to civilians as well as military personnel for valor away from the battlefield. Estd. on 4 Jan 1952.
Shaurya Chakra (SC)	India’s wartime acts of bravery away from the battlefield. It can be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel. Estd. on 4 Jan 1952.

Distinguished Service Medals:

War Time	Description	Medal
Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM)	Highest wartime distinguished service decoration. It is awarded for distinguished service in the operational context, including war, operations, and conflicts.
Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM)	It is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in the operational context, including war, operations, and conflicts.
Yudh Seva Medal (YSM)	It is awarded for a high degree of service in the operational context, including war, operations, and conflicts.

Peace Time	Description	Medal
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)	Highest decoration to recognize peacetime service of an exceptional order. It is awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces. Estd on 1960.
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)	Peacetime decoration to recognize service of an exceptional order. It is awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces. Estd on 1967.
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)	Peacetime decoration to recognize service of a high order. It is awarded to all ranks of the Armed Forces. Estd on 1967.

Distinguished Service & Gallantry Award:

Service Medals	Description	Medal
Sena Medal (SM) (Army)	Awarded to individuals of the Indian Army. It is awarded for exceptional devotion to duty or courage. It can be awarded for distinguished service, not in face of the enemy. Estd on 1960.
Nausena Medal (NM) (Navy)	Awarded to individuals of the Indian Navy. It is awarded for exceptional devotion to duty or courage. It can be awarded for distinguished service, not in face of the enemy. Estd on 1960.
Vayu Sena Medal (VM) (Air Force)	Awarded to individuals of Indian Air Force. It is awarded for exceptional devotion to duty or courage. It can be awarded for distinguished service, not in face of the enemy. Estd on 1960.

Note: On 4^th January 1952, three Gallantry awards Ashok Chakra Class-I, Ashok Chakras Class-II, and Ashok Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India. Later these awards were renamed Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January 1967.

All the Gallantry awards may be awarded posthumously. The Awards are granted biannually – on 26th January, Republic Day, and on 15th August, Independence Day.

These awards have the following order of precedence:

1) Param Vir Chakra

2) Ashoka Chakra

3) Maha Vir Chakra

4) Kirti Chakra

5) Vir Chakra

6) Shaurya Chakra

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