President of India Presents Gallantry Awards
The President of India, in the capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented Gallantry Awards to distinguished military personnel recognising acts of exceptional bravery and valour.
What happened
The President of India, in the capacity as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, presented Gallantry Awards to distinguished military personnel recognising acts of exceptional bravery and valour. Gallantry awards in India are instituted to honour members of the armed forces, paramilitary forces, and civilians who display conspicuous courage in the face of the enemy or in other hazardous circumstances. The highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. These awards are announced on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) each year, with investiture ceremonies held subsequently at Rashtrapati Bhavan. For UPSC aspirants, understanding the hierarchy, eligibility criteria, and constitutional basis of gallantry awards is essential for both Prelims and Mains preparation.
Gallantry awards in India are classified into wartime and peacetime categories.
●Wartime awards — Param Vir Chakra (PVC), Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), and Vir Chakra (VrC) — are awarded for acts of bravery in the presence of the enemy.
●Peacetime gallantry awards include Ashoka Chakra (highest), Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
●The President of India, as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces under Article 53 of the Constitution, is the conferring authority.
●Awards are announced twice a year: Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15). Posthumous awards are also given.
●The Param Vir Chakra, instituted on 26 January 1950, has been awarded only 21 times, mostly posthumously, making it extremely rare.
The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest wartime gallantry award, while the Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award — both conferred by the President as Supreme Commander.
◎ In Simple Words
The President of India, who is also the head of all the armed forces, gave special medals called Gallantry Awards to brave soldiers and security personnel. Think of it like a school giving a gold star to students who did something really courageous and extraordinary. These awards are like the highest 'bravery certificates' a soldier can receive, and they are announced on Republic Day and Independence Day every year. The President personally hands over these medals in a special ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Factual Pointers
Practice · 1 question
Which of the following correctly represents the order of precedence of India's wartime gallantry awards from highest to lowest?