PARAM VIR CHAKRA - AWARDS

News: Prime Minister names 21 Andaman islands after Param Vir Chakra awardees

 

What's in the news?

       Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday named the 21 largest unnamed islands of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands after 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees.


Go back to basics:

Gallantry awards:

       Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifices of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted forces and civilians.

       The gallantry awards are announced twice a year; first on the occasion of Republic Day and secondly, on the occasion of Independence Day.

 

Types of Gallantry awards:

    Gallantry Awards are classified into two categories:

  1. Gallantry in the Face of Enemy:

       Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

       Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

       Vir Chakra

 

  1. Gallantry Other than in the Face of Enemy:

       Ashok Chakra

       Kirti Chakra

       Shaurya Chakra

 

Important takeaways:

War time Highest Gallantry Awards:

       Param Vir Chakra - It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valor during wartime whether on land, at sea or in the air.

 

       Maha Vir Chakra - It is the second highest gallantry award for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.

 

       Vir Chakra - It is the country's third-highest wartime gallantry award after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.

 

Peacetime Highest Gallantry Awards:

       Ashoka Chakra - It is the highest military award during peacetime for valor, courageous action or sacrifice. It is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.

 

       Kirti Chakra - It is the second highest peacetime gallantry award and is awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle.

 

       Shaurya Chakra - It is awarded to the personnel of the armed forces for instances of extraordinary gallantry.

 

Other Awards:

       Sena Medal - It is awarded for acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Army.

       Nao Sena Medal - It is awarded for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Navy.

       Vayu Sena Medal - It is awarded for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Air Force.

 

Order of precedence:

  1. Param Vir Chakra
  2. Ashoka Chakra
  3. Mahavir Chakra
  4. Kirti Chakra
  5. Vir Chakra
  6. Shaurya Chakra.