India's Gallantry Awards

India’s Gallantry Awards

Gallantry Awards have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted Forces, and civilians. These gallantry awards are announced twice a year – first on the occasion of Republic Day and then on the occasion of Independence Day. Learn more through this simple quiz.

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Can the next of kins of a deceased gallantry award recipient wear the awarded medals?

Yes. Gallantry awards of deceased can be worn by their family members, such as spouses, children, parents, forefathers while wearing civil clothes.

Yes. The children are permitted to wear only of they are in the defense forces and have to be in uniform.

No. Only the gallantry awardee is permitted to wear the medal.

Yes. The spouse may wear only if the award medal is other than the top gallantry award – Param Vir Chakra & Ashok Chakra

An order issued on 11 July 2019 by the Indian Army’s “Ceremonial and Welfare Adjutant General’s Branch” made it permissible for the close relatives of the deceased military personnel to wear their medals on the right side of chest while attending homage ceremonies at war memorials, cemeteries and funerals. These gallantry or service awards of deceased can be worn by their family members, such as spouses, children, parents, forefathers while wearing civil clothes.

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Which is India’s highest highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and is awarded for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice” other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel. Name this award.

Param Vishisht Seva Medal

Vir Chakra

Kirti Chakra

Ashok Chakra

The Ashok Chakra

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Name India’s highest wartime military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime.

Shaurya Chakra

Param Vir Chakra

Ashok Chakra

Mahavir Chakra

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. Param Vir Chakra translates as the “Wheel of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”.

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“We are heavily outnumbered… I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man.” These historic words need to be indelibly etched in the memories of all Indians since they framed the destiny of the nation post-Independence. They were spoken by India’s first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). His ultimate act of bravery was on 3 November 1947, when he, along with his brave soldiers challenged the Pakistani hordes in the historic Battle of Budgam, defending the city of Srinagar.

Name this Indian Army Officer?

Naik Jadunath Singh, PVC, 1 Rajput

Major Somnath Sharma, PVC, 4 Kumaon

Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane, PVC, Corps of Engineers

Lance Naik Karam Singh, PVC, 1 Sikh

Major Somnath Sharma, along with his brave soldiers of 4 Kumaon challenged the Pakistani hordes in the historic Battle of Budgam. The brave troops of 4 Kumaon did not give an inch to the enemy despite many casualties including Major Somnath Sharma who fell to a hero’s death on the battlefield.

Major Somnath Sharma

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For what reason is the MacGregor Medal awarded?

It is a medal given to soldiers who complete a specific tenure at high altitudes

It is awarded to Territorial Army personnel for meritorious service during national calamities

Awarded to Border Road Organisation for constructing high altitude all weather roads

Awarded for valuable military intelligence through reconnaissance, exploration & survey

The MacGregor Medal (also referred to as the MacGregor Memorial Medal) is awarded for valuable military intelligence through reconnaissance, exploration, survey or other similar activities of national importance. Awardees have included Survey of India personnel, military attaches, consuls, political officers and Indian Army, Navy and Air Force personnel.

The last time it was awarded was in 2020 to Sanjay Kumar, EA (P) 3 of INS Valsura for winning the fourth edition of the ‘Hell race’ – one of the toughest races in the world. The race was conducted in the Himalayas from 15 to 23 Jun 19, wherein he set a new course record with a timing of 28Hrs 45min 12 sec.

MacGregor Medal

Sanjay Kumar, Indian Navy

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The Indian Independence Medal was instituted by the Dominion of India on 21 July 1948. It was a commemorative medal for service with the Indian armed forces at the time of independence in August 1947. Who approved the institution of this medal?

King George VI

Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru

General Sir Robert Lockhart, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army at the time of Independence

The first Governor General of Independent India Lord Mountbatten

The Indian Independence Medal was instituted by the Dominion of India and approved by King George VI by way of a Royal Warrant dated 21 July 1948. It was awarded to all those who, on 15 August 1947, were members of the armed forces of India, including the forces of princely states that acceded to Indian rule before 1 January 1948. British military personnel who remained in India after independence and who served with Indian forces up to 1 January 1948 qualified, although those with British units awaiting repatriation did not.

Indian Independence Medal 1947

Indian Independence Medal 1947 Reverse

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