Gallantry Awards — Set 2

Correct Answer: D. Savitri Khanolkar

• **Savitri Khanolkar** = Of Swiss-Hungarian origin, she designed the Param Vir Chakra medal at the request of the Indian Army, incorporating motifs like Indra's Vajra. • **Vajra** — She chose the motif of Dadichi's bones, represented by Indra's Vajra, to symbolize ultimate sacrifice in the medal's design. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Nandlal Bose]: He was a pioneer of modern Indian art but did not design the PVC; [B.R. Ambedkar]: He was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, not a medal designer; [Rabindranath Tagore]: He was a Nobel laureate and poet, not known for medal design.

Correct Answer: A. Param Vishisht Seva Medal

• **Param Vishisht Seva Medal** = This award is for 'distinguished service of the most exceptional order,' recognizing administrative excellence and not specifically for gallantry in combat. • **'Distinguished Service'** — Unlike gallantry awards, the PVSM is awarded for this type of exceptional achievement, often to senior officers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Kirti Chakra]: This is a high peacetime gallantry award; [Vir Chakra]: This is a wartime gallantry award; [Shaurya Chakra]: This is a peacetime gallantry award.

Correct Answer: C. Indian Air Force

• **Indian Air Force** = The Vayu Sena Medal is a gallantry award specifically instituted for members of this branch of the Indian armed forces. • **1960** — The Vayu Sena Medal was instituted in this year to recognize individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Indian Navy]: The Nausena Medal is for the Indian Navy; [Indian Army]: The Sena Medal is for the Indian Army; [Coast Guard]: The Coast Guard has its own medals for meritorious service and gallantry.

Correct Answer: D. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

• **Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon** = Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was the only Indian Air Force officer to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously in 1971. • **1971** — Flying Officer Sekhon was awarded the PVC posthumously for his extraordinary bravery during the defense of the Srinagar base in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Arjan Singh]: He was a Marshal of the Indian Air Force but not a PVC recipient; [Rakesh Sharma]: He was the first Indian in space and an Ashoka Chakra recipient, not PVC; [Subroto Mukerjee]: He was the first Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force but not a PVC recipient.

Correct Answer: A. Independence Day and Republic Day

• **Independence Day and Republic Day** = Gallantry awards in India are usually announced twice a year on the occasion of these two national holidays. • **Twice a year** — These awards are announced on two significant national days, honoring personnel for exemplary courage throughout the year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gandhi Jayanti]: This day is not an occasion for announcing gallantry awards; [Air Force Day]: This day celebrates the Indian Air Force but is not a general award announcement day; [Army Day]: This day celebrates the Indian Army but is not a general award announcement day.

Correct Answer: A. Distinguished Service in War

• **Distinguished Service in War** = The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal is the highest award for distinguished service during wartime or conflict operations. • **Yudh Seva series** — These medals recognize operational service during war, distinguishing them from gallantry awards. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Gallantry Award]: These awards recognize specific acts of valor, while Yudh Seva Medals focus on distinguished operational service; [Peacetime Service]: These awards are given for service during peace, whereas Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal is for wartime; [Civilian Honor]: This is a military award, not a civilian one.

Correct Answer: C. Standard Silver

• **Standard Silver** = The Vir Chakra medal is circular in shape and made of standard silver. • **Five-pointed star** — This star with the chakra in the center is a key design element on the Vir Chakra medal. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Bronze]: This metal is not used for the Vir Chakra; other medals like the Sena Medal (gallantry) use bronze; [Gold Plated]: The Vir Chakra is made of silver, not gold-plated material; [Copper]: Copper is not the primary metal used for the Vir Chakra medal.

Correct Answer: D. President's Tatrakshak Medal

• **President's Tatrakshak Medal (PTM)** = The President's Tatrakshak Medal is the highest gallantry and service award for the Indian Coast Guard. • **Tatrakshak Medal** — This is the second-tier award for the Indian Coast Guard, distinguishing it from the highest honor. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Coast Guard Medal]: This is a general term; the specific highest award is the President's Tatrakshak Medal; [Ashoka Chakra]: This is the highest peacetime gallantry award for all armed forces, not specific to the Coast Guard's highest honor; [Sena Medal]: This award is specifically for the Indian Army, not the Coast Guard.

Correct Answer: A. 21

• **21** = A total of 21 individuals have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra since its inception. • **14** — Out of the total Param Vir Chakras, this many were awarded posthumously for ultimate sacrifice. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [15]: This is an incorrect count; the actual number of recipients is higher; [25]: This is an incorrect count; the actual number of recipients is lower; [30]: This is an incorrect count; the actual number of recipients is much lower.

Correct Answer: C. Ashoka Chakra Class I

• **Ashoka Chakra Class I** = The Ashoka Chakra was originally named Ashoka Chakra Class I when peacetime awards were instituted. • **1967** — In this year, Ashoka Chakra Class I, II, and III were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: [Ashoka Chakra Class II]: This was the original name for what is now the Kirti Chakra, not the Ashoka Chakra; [Peacetime PVC]: This is not an official historical name; Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is a wartime gallantry award; [Shaurya Medal]: The Shaurya Chakra was originally Ashoka Chakra Class III, and 'Shaurya Medal' is not its historical name.