INDIAN HONOUR SYSTEM: MEDALS, TYPES, ORDERS, RECIPIENT LIST, PHOTOS & FULL DETAILS.

INDIAN HONOUR SYSTEM: MEDALS, TYPES, ORDERS, ELIGIBILITY, SELECTION, PHOTOS & FULL DETAILS.

 

Post-independence, first three gallantry awards namely the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.

Thereafter, other three gallantry awards i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.

These awards were renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra respectively in January, 1967.

These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year - first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.

Order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

 

Design of the medals and ribbons

 PARAM VIR CHAKRA

 

Medal:  Circular in shape, made of bronze, one and three eighth inches in diameter and shall have embossed on the obverse four replicas of "Indra's Vajra" with the State Emblem embossed in the centre.

 

On its reverse, it shall have embossed “PARAM VIR CHAKRA” both in Hindi and in English with two lotus flowers between the Hindi and the English inscriptions.

Ribbon: Plain purple coloured ribbon.

Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every Bar awarded a replica of the "Indra's Vajra" in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

MAHAVIR CHAKRA

 

Medal:  Circular in shape and of standard silver, one and three eighth inches in diameter, and shall have embossed on the obverse a five-pointed heraldic star with the points of the star just touching the rim.

 The star shall have in the centre a domed gilded State Emblem. On the reverse, it shall have embossed “MAHA VIR CHAKRA” both in Hindi and in English with two lotus flowers between the Hindi and the English inscriptions.

Ribbon: The ribbon is of a half-white and half-orange colour.

Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every Bar awarded a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

VIR CHAKRA

 

Medal: Circular in shape and of standard silver, one and three eighth inches in diameter, and shall have embossed on the obverse a five-pointed heraldic star with the points of the star just touching the rim.

The star shall have in the centre a Chakra and within the Chakra shall be a domed centre piece bearing the gilded State Emblem. On the reverse, it shall have embossed “VIR CHAKRA” both in Hindi and in English with two lotus flowers between the Hindi and the English inscriptions.

Ribbon: The ribbon is of half blue and half orange in colour.

Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of bravery as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery shall be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended, and for every such additional act of bravery, an additional Bar shall be added, and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every Bar awarded a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

ASHOKA CHAKRA 

 

Medal: Circular in shape, one and three eighth inches in diameter, with rims on both sides. The medal shall be of gold gild. On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds. On its reverse shall be embossed the words “Ashok Chakra” both in Hindi and English the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.

Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into two equal segments by an orange vertical line.

Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and any such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every Bar awarded a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

KIRTI CHAKRA

 

Medal: Circular in shape and of standard silver, one and three-eighth inches in diameter, with rims on both sides. On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds. On its reverse shall be embossed the words “KIRTI CHAKRA” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.

Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into three equal parts by two orange vertical lines.

Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

SHAURYA CHAKRA

 

Medal: Circular in shape and made of bronze, one and three-eighth inches in diameter, with rims on both sides. On the obverse of the medal shall be embossed a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.

Along the rim, on the inner side, shall be a pattern of lotus leaves, flowers and buds. On its reverse shall be embossed the words “SHAURYA CHAKRA” both in Hindi and English, the two versions being separated by two lotus flowers.

Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into four equal parts by three vertical lines.

Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously.

For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

 

IMPORTANT: The Param veer Chakra, Maha veer Chakra and vir chakra are War time gallantry award and Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are peace time gallantry awards.

 

INVESTITURE CEREMONY

 

 

Gallantry awards along with some other Defence Distinguished Service awards are conferred to the awardees/Next-of-Kins (NoKs) by the President at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

However, the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashoka Chakra are conferred by the President to the awardees/NoKs on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath.

 

PEOPLE WHO GET THIS GALLANTRY AWARDS FOR FIRST TIME

1.PARAMVEER CHAKRA (MAJ SOMNATH SHARMA)

     

For more details about himself Click here

 

2. MAHAVEER CHAKRA ( LT COL DEWAN RAJIT RAI )

For more details about himself Click here

 

3. VIR CHAKRA (GROUP CAPTAIN (NOW AIR VICE MARSHAL) RANJAN DUTT)

 

For more details about himself Click here

4. ASHOKA CHAKRA(FLT LT SUHAS BISWAS)

 

For more details about himself Click here

 

5. KIRTI CHAKRA (FLIGHT SERGEANT O. SUNDARESSIYA)

For more details about himself Click here

 

 

6. SHAURYA CHAKRA (WING COMMANDER BRIAN JOSEPH CANNEL)

 

For more details about himself Click here

 

ELIGIBILITY TO GET AWARDED

THE PARAM VIR CHAKRA , THE MAHA VIR CHAKRA & THE VIR CHAKRA ELIGIBILITY:

The following categories of persons shall be eligible for the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra:

1.       Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Naval, Military and Air Forces, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.

2.       Matrons, Sisters, Nurses and the Staff of the Nursing Services and other Services pertaining to Hospitals and Nursing, and Civilians of either sex serving regularly or temporarily under the orders, directions or supervision of any of the above-mentioned Forces.

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY:

The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.  

The Maha Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.  
The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air. 

 

THE ASHOKA CHAKRA, THE KIRTI CHAKRA & SHAURYA CHAKRA PERSONS ELIGIBILITY:

The following categories of persons shall be eligible for the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra:

1.       a. Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces.

2.       b. Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces.

3.       c. Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.

 

CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY:  

The Ashoka Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy. 
The Kirti Chakra is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.  
The Shaurya Chakra is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. 
All the gallantry awards may be awarded posthumously.

 

SELECTION PROCESS

Ministry of Defence invites recommendations twice in a year from the Armed Forces and Union Ministry of Home Affairs for gallantry awards.

Recommendations are invited normally in the month of August for the awards to be announced on the occasion of the Republic Day and in the month of March for the awards to be announced on the occasion of the Independence Day. 

In respect of the Armed Forces, a case for the gallantry award is initiated by the Unit and if found fit the same is forwarded to respective Services HQrs duly recommended by Commanders in chain, immediately after the act of gallantry is performed.

All such proposals are then considered by the Awards Committee at Services HQrs before recommending the proposals to the Ministry of Defence with the approval of the respective Chiefs.

Recommendations in respect of civilian citizens (other than Defence personnel) are received from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

MHA calls for recommendations (in respect of civilians) from all State/UT Governments, Central Ministries/ Departments, Central Armed Police Forces and Railway Protection Force etc. Recommendations received directly from private individuals, including VIP references are not accepted.

Recommendations are scrutinized by a Sub-Committee in the MHA and their recommendation is received in the Ministry of Defence with the approval of Union Home Secretary.

Persons recommended for the award shall not be involved in any adverse report or should not have been conveyed any displeasure or censure or given any punishment in a court martial proceedings or through administrative action.

Recommendation for gallantry awards is normally required to be sent to the Ministry of Defence as early as possible after the act of gallantry is performed.

In any case, the time limit for considering gallantry awards should not be beyond two calendar years from the date on which the act of gallantry is performed. 

Recommendations received from the Armed Forces and MHA are considered by the Central Honours & Awards Committee (CH&AC) comprising of Raksha Mantri, three Service Chiefs & Defence Secretary. Home Secretary is also member for the cases recommended by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Thereafter, recommendations of the CH&AC are submitted for approval of the Prime Minister and the President.

After approval of the President, awards are announced on the occasion of the Republic Day and Independence Day. 

 

TOTAL NUMBER OF AWARDEES

According to latest mid of 2020 the total Gallantry awardee are

Total 21 awardee won Param vir chakra award.

Total 218 awardee won Maha vir chakra award.

Total  1322 awardee won vir chakra award.

Total  83 awardee won Ashoka chakra award.

Total 458 awardee won Kirti chakra award.

Total 1997 awardee won Shaurya chakra award.

 

PHOTO GALLERY                                        

    

                                                                                                          

 

 

For more photos related to gallantry award Investiture ceremony and Video Gallary Click here

 

OTHER KIND OF AWARDS:

 

Literary Awards
First  Indian to be awarded the literature Nobel Prize	Rabindranath Tagore
First recipient of Bhartiya Jnanpith award	G Sankara Kurup
First recipient of Sahitya Akadami Award for English	RK Narayan
First person to receive Nobel prize for English literature	Rudyard Kipling
First Indian to receive the Booker prize (British Citizen)	Salamn Rushdie
First Indian woman (also first Indian citizen) to receive the Booker prize	Arundhati Roy
First Indian to receive the Pulitzer prize	Gobind Behari Lal

 

Foreign Awards
First recipent of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award	Vishwanathan Anand
First woman recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award	Karnam Malleshwari
First recipent of Dhyanchand lifetime achievement award	Aparna Ghosh
First cricketer to be awarded the Arjuna Award	Salim Durrani
First recipient of Magsaysay award	Vinoba bhave
First recipient of Nisan-e-pakistan	Morarji desai
First recipient of stalin peace prize (Lenin peace prize)	Saiffudin kitchlew

 

 

Nobel Prize
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Literature	Rabindranath Tagore got Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. He was also the first Asian to win the prize
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Physics	C. V. Raman was the first Indian to get Nobel Prize for Physics
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Medicine	Har Gobind Khorana ( US citizen of Indian origin )
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Peace	Mother Teresa (Indian citizen of Albanian origin )
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Economics	Amartya Sen
First Indian to get Nobel Prize for Chemistry	Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (US citizen of Indian origin)
First Indian born citizen  to get Nobel Prize for Peace	Kailash Sathyarthi

 

 

Film Awards
First winner of Dadasaheb Phalke award	Devika Rani
First Winner of Filmfare best actor award	Dilip Kumar
First winner of filmfare best actress award	Meena Kumari
First hindi film to win the the National film award	Mirza Ghalib
First film to win the best film academy award	Wings

 

 

Various other awards
First recipient of Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding	Thant (1965)
First recipient of Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development	Parliamentarians for Global Action(1986)
First recipient of Outstanding Parliamentarian Award	Shri Chandrashekhar (1995)
First recipient of Gandhi Peace Prize (Govt of India Award)	Julius Nyerere (1995)
First recipient of World Food Prize instituted By Norman Borlaug	MS Swaminathan, 1987
First recipient of Communal Harmony Award (Individual)	Asghar Ali Engineer, 1997
First recipient of Communal Harmony Award (Organisation)	Quami Ekta Trust, 1997
First recipient of Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony	Pt. Ravi Shankar, 2012
First Asian recipient of Hoover Medal	APJ Abdul Kalam, 2008
First recipient of VK Krishna Menon Award	Former CJI KG Balakrishnan
First recipient of Tagore Award for Cultural Harmony	Pt. Ravi Shankar, 2012

 

Finally, The list of first awardee in different fields are so big (e.g.- first women awardee in all above lists, first transgender awardee list, painting related awards lists). that's why i show some limited recognised awards.