Medals and Honors of Indian Armed Forces

Medals and Honors of Indian Armed Forces: The Medals and Honors of the Indian Armed Forces are special awards given to recognise our military personnel's incredible bravery and exceptional service. Divided into three categories, Gallantry Awards, Service Awards, and Distinguished Service Awards, these honours celebrate acts of courage in the face of danger, long-standing dedication, and outstanding contributions to the nation's defence.

From medals like the Param Vir Chakra for extraordinary bravery to Service Medals acknowledging years of committed service, these awards honour our armed forces' exceptional efforts and sacrifices to safeguard our country. In this article, we will read about it in detail.

Medals and Honors of Indian Armed Forces

The Medals and Honors of the Indian Armed Forces, comprise Gallantry Awards, Service Awards, and Distinguished Service Awards. These medals honor acts of bravery, valor, and exceptional service. The Gallantry Awards such as the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Ashoka Chakra symbolize the act of bravery, bestowed for acts of valor in the face of the enemy and extraordinary sacrifices made for the nation.

• Following India's independence, the Government of India established the first three gallantry awards, namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra, on January 26, 1950, effective from August 15, 1947.
• Subsequently, on January 4, 1952, three other gallantry awards, Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II, and Ashoka Chakra Class-III, were instituted, also with effect from August 15, 1947.
• Later, in January 1967, these awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively.
• These gallantry awards are announced biannually, on Republic Day and Independence Day.
• The order of precedence for these awards is as follows: Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

Service Medals, including the Sena, Nao Sena, and Vayusena Medals, commend long-standing commitment and meritorious service across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additionally, the Distinguished Service Awards like the Param Vishisht Seva Medal recognize exceptional operational and distinguished service, reflecting the varied dimensions of excellence within the armed forces.

These honors shows dedication, selflessness, and sacrifice exhibited by the Indian Armed Forces personnel, reflecting the highest standards of courage, service, and commitment to the nation's defence and security. Let us look into details of all Medals and honors of Indian Armed Forces one by one -

Wartime Gallantry Awards

Wartime Gallantry Awards are special honors given to soldiers who show exceptional bravery and courage during times of conflict or war. These awards, like the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra, celebrate acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, highlighting the incredible sacrifices made by our brave soldiers to protect the nation. These honors recognize the extraordinary valor and selflessness displayed on the battlefield, showcasing the true spirit of our armed forces in times of war.

ParamVir Chakra (PVC)

Established on January 26, 1950, the Param Vir Chakra is the highest military decoration in India, awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. It is equivalent to the Medal of Honor in the United States. The award consists of a circular bronze medal adorned with a five-pointed star and a suspension bar. It is worn around the neck. Each PVC awardee is recognized as the epitome of bravery and selflessness.

MahaVir Chakra

The Maha Vir Chakra is the second-highest gallantry award in India and is bestowed for exceptional acts of valor in the face of the enemy. Established in 1950, it is fashioned similarly to the Param Vir Chakra but ranks lower in precedence.

Vir Chakra

Established on January 26, 1950, the Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The decoration comprises a medal with a V-shaped ribbon and is worn around the neck.

Peacetime Gallantry Awards

Peacetime Gallantry Awards are special recognitions given to individuals who display exceptional bravery and courage during times of peace. Awards like the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra honor acts of bravery and self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, showcasing the valor and selflessness of individuals in protecting and serving the nation even in non-war situations. These awards acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable courage and dedication shown by individuals in maintaining peace and security in the country.

Ashoka Chakra

The Ashoka Chakra is India's highest peacetime gallantry award, equivalent to the Param Vir Chakra. Instituted in 1952, it is presented for acts of valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. The award symbolizes the principles of bravery and sacrifice.

Shaurya Chakra

The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. Instituted in 1952, it recognizes acts of bravery and selfless sacrifice.

Wartime Distinguished Service Awards

1. Sena, Nau Sena, Vayusena Medals:

• These medals are awarded for distinguished service rendered by personnel in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, respectively. They acknowledge long-standing commitment, dedication, and meritorious service within their respective branches.

2. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal:

• Awarded for long and meritorious service, the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal honors individuals for their extended service tenure marked by good conduct.

Peacetime Distinguished Service Awards

In addition to the aforementioned categories, the Indian Armed Forces confer Distinguished Service Awards to recognize exceptional contributions:

1. Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM)

• The PVSM is awarded for the highest operational service and distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

2. Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM)

• The AVSM is granted for distinguished service of an exceptional order.

3. Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)

• The VSM is conferred for distinguished service rendered by all ranks of the military personnel.

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