Peace-time Gallantry Awards of India

What are Gallantry Awards?

• Gallantry Awards have been established by the Government of India to respect the acts of valour and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully founded Forces and civilians.
• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and further on the occasion of the Independence Day.

About Gallantry Awards of India

• After Independence, first three gallantry awards namely the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.
• Afterwards, other three gallantry awards i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947. In January 1967, these awards were renamed the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, and the Shaurya Chakra, respectively.
• Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.
• The President awards the gallantry awards to the awardees or their relatives at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
• However, the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashoka Chakra are conferred by the President to the awardees on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath.

Selection Process for Gallantry Awards

• The basic selection process for these awards are –

1. 1. In the case of Armed Forces, the award is initiated by the Unit.
   2. The recommended personnel name are sent to the Service Headquarters under the supervision of Commanders in the chain.
   3. The Awards Committee verifies the list and gets it approved by the Chiefs before sending the proposal to the Ministry Of Defence.

Types of Gallantry Awards

• Gallantry Awards are classified into two Categories –
  1. 1. War time Awards – Gallantry in the Face of Enemy
     2. Peace time Awards – Gallantry Other than in the Face of Enemy
• First Category of Gallantry Awards Comprises of the following Awards
  1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
              2. Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
              3. Vir Chakra
• Second Category of Gallantry Awards Comprises of the following Awards
  • • • • 1. Ashok Chakra
          2. Kirti Chakra
          3. Shaurya Chakra

Conditions of Eligibility for Peace time Gallantry Awards of India

• The following categories of persons shall be eligible for the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra –
  • • Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces.
    • Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces.
    • Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.

Peace-time Gallantry Awards of India

• As the name suggests, this category of gallantry awards are awarded to Indian military personals for courageous action or self-sacrifice during the non-war time or away from the battlefield.
• These awards are of the following types –

i) Ashoka Chakra

• • It is the most prestigious Peace-time Gallantry Awards of India that is awarded to a soldier or army officers for their outstanding valor, courage, and self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
  • However, a civilian can also be considered eligible to receive this award for his or her selfless courage and self-sacrifice for the country.
  • The first army personal to receive this honor was from the Indian air force, Flt. Lt. Suhas Biswas in 1952.

Design of Ashoka Chakra

• • • Medal – The design of the Ashoka Chakra is made in the form of a circle whose diameter is 1.4 inches with rims on both sides.
    • On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds.
    • On its reverse shall be embossed the words “Ashok Chakra” both in Hindi and English the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
    • Ribbon – The medal is provided with a dark-green silk riband of width 3.2 cm.
    • An orange vertical line divides the riband into two equal parts.
    • Bar – If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.
    • For every Bar awarded a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

ii) Kirti Chakra

• • It is the second-highest peace-time gallantry award presented to an army personal for an exceptional act of bravery, courage, and self-sacrifice.
  • Civilians can also be nominated for this award.

Design of Kirti Chakra

• • • Its shape is circular in shape whose diameter is 1.4 inches with rims on both sides.
    • It is made of silver.
    • On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds.
    • On its reverse shall be embossed the words “KIRTI CHAKRA” both in Hindi and English, The words are separated by a lotus flower on each side.
    • Ribbon – The medal is provided with a green riband that measures 3.2 cm in width.
    • Two orange vertical lines divide the riband into three equal parts.
    • Bar – If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.
    • For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

iii) Shaurya Chakra

• • It is the third most prestigious peace-time gallantry award that can be awarded to an army personal as well as to a civilian for an act of bravery or self-sacrifice during peacetime or away from the battleground.

Design of Shaurya Chakra

• • • It is also circular in shape with a diameter of 1.4 cm with rims on both sides.
    • It is made of bronze.
    • On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath. Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds.
    • On its reverse shall be embossed the words “Shaurya Chakra” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.
    • Ribbon – it is provided with a 3.2 cm wide Green color riband that is divided into four equal parts by three orange vertical lines.
    • Bar – If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.
    • For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

So, this is all about the post on the Peace-time Gallantry Awards of India– Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. If you want to read more notes on Awards and Honors – Click Here.

In the Next Post (Click Here), we will learn about the National Sports Awards in India.

If you Like this Post than please share it with your friends and family and like our Facebook Page to get regular updates. Sharing is Caring J.