Gallantry Awards 2024

GS III-Defence

Context:

Ahead of the 75th Republic Day celebrations, the President of India sanctioned gallantry awards to 80 personnel from the Armed Forces, of which 12 were awarded posthumously.

Key Highlights of Gallantry Awards 2024:

• Kirti Chakras: 6 awarded (3 posthumous)
• Shaurya Chakras: 16 awarded (2 posthumous)
• Sena Medals (Gallantry): 53 awarded (7 posthumous)
• Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry): 1 awarded
• Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry): 4 awarded

Additionally, 311 Defence Decorations were conferred upon personnel from the Armed Forces and other services, including:

• 31 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM)
• 4 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM)
• 61 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM)
• 10 Yudh Seva Medals
• 46 Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty)
• 10 Nao Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty)
• 14 Vayu Sena Medals (Devotion to Duty)
• 135 Vishisht Seva Medals (VSM)

About Gallantry Awards

These honors are conferred by the Government of India to acknowledge acts of exceptional courage, heroism, and selflessness by military personnel, other legally constituted forces, and civilians.

Announcement Cycle:

These awards are traditionally declared twice a year—on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15).

Categories of Gallantry Awards

1. Wartime Gallantry Awards (For bravery in the face of the enemy):

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s topmost military honor for supreme bravery during war.
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): Awarded for outstanding courage in the presence of the enemy; may be given posthumously.
• Vir Chakra: Recognizes acts of bravery in battle.

1. Peacetime Gallantry Awards (For courage in non-combat scenarios):

• Ashoka Chakra: The highest recognition for valiant actions away from the battlefield; equivalent to the PVC.
• Kirti Chakra: Conferred for acts of valor and sacrifice during peacetime; may be awarded to both civilians and military personnel, including posthumously.
• Shaurya Chakra: Honors brave actions not involving direct combat; awarded to both civilians and armed forces members, with posthumous eligibility.

Precedence Order:

• Param Vir Chakra
• Ashoka Chakra
• Maha Vir Chakra
• Kirti Chakra
• Vir Chakra
• Shaurya Chakra

Service-Specific Awards

Sena Medal:

Given to Indian Army personnel for acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage with significant military impact. The award may be repeated, denoted by a bar, and can be granted posthumously.

Nao Sena Medal:

Awarded to Navy personnel for gallantry or exceptional devotion to duty.

Vayu Sena Medal:

Bestowed for meritorious service in the Air Force, both during peacetime and conflict. Repeat awards are marked with a bar; can be awarded posthumously.

Distinguished Service Medals

Wartime Distinction:

• Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal: The apex honor for distinguished service in active operations, akin to the PVSM in peacetime. Can be conferred posthumously.
• Uttam Yudh Seva Medal: Given for high-level distinguished service during war or conflict; eligible for posthumous recognition.
• Yudh Seva Medal: Awarded for notable service in operational settings; parallels the Vishisht Seva Medal in times of peace.

Peacetime Distinction:

• Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM): Recognizes exemplary peacetime service; awarded across all Armed Forces and related services.
• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM): For exceptionally distinguished service; recipients may use the post-nominal “AVSM.”
• Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM): Acknowledges distinguished service of a high order; posthumous awards allowed and denoted with a bar for additional honors. Recipients may use “VSM” as a suffix.