Gallantry Awards — Set 4

Correct Answer: C. Lord Indra

• **Vajra** = The Vajra is Lord Indra's thunderbolt, made from Sage Dadhichi's bones. • **Four** — The medal features four such Vajras arranged in a circular pattern, symbolizing indestructible courage. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lord Shiva: His iconic weapon is the Trishula, not Vajra; Lord Vishnu: His primary weapon is the Sudarshan Chakra, not Vajra; Lord Ganesha: He is associated with a modak and a goad, not Vajra.

Correct Answer: D. Kirti Chakra

• **Kirti Chakra** = It is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, recognized for conspicuous bravery not in direct combat with the enemy. • **Second-highest** — This award is the second-highest peacetime gallantry honor, distinguished by being made of standard silver. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ashoka Chakra: This is the highest peacetime gallantry award, made of gold-colored gilded tombac; Sena Medal: Awarded for acts of gallantry for the Army, often of lesser degree than Kirti Chakra; Shaurya Chakra: This is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award, made of bronze.

Correct Answer: A. Lion

• **Lion** = The Ashoka Chakra award depicts the Sarnath Lion Capital, featuring four lions. • **Four** — These four lions on the state emblem symbolize power, courage, pride, and confidence. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Tiger: While India's national animal, it is not depicted on the Ashoka Chakra's Lion Capital; Elephant: Present in the abacus of the original Sarnath Capital, but not the primary animal on top; Horse: Also present in the abacus of the original Sarnath Capital, but not the primary animal on top.

Correct Answer: C. Neerja Bhanot

• **Neerja Bhanot** = She was the first woman to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, posthumously, for her bravery during the 1986 Pan Am hijack. • **1987** — She was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra in 1987 for sacrificing her life to save passengers. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kiran Bedi: Known for being India's first woman IPS officer, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient; Kalpana Chawla: An astronaut who died in the Columbia disaster, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient; Gunjan Saxena: An Air Force officer known for her service during the Kargil War, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient.

Correct Answer: D. PVC

• **PVC** = Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra use 'PVC' as a post-nominal title to denote their high honor. • **Similarly** — MVC is used for Maha Vir Chakra and VrC for Vir Chakra, following international military traditions. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: VC: This abbreviation typically refers to the Victoria Cross, a British military decoration; PVR: Not a recognized post-nominal abbreviation for gallantry awards; PV: Not a recognized post-nominal abbreviation for gallantry awards.

Correct Answer: C. None

• **None** = Currently, no member of the Indian Navy has been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. • **Majority** — The majority of Param Vir Chakras have been awarded to Indian Army personnel. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Admiral S.M. Nanda: A distinguished naval officer, but not a PVC recipient; Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla: Awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, not the Param Vir Chakra, for his bravery; Captain R.K. Yadav: Not a known PVC recipient from the Indian Navy.

Correct Answer: C. Civilian Bravery

• **Civilian Bravery** = The Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is a civilian award for conspicuous courage in saving someone's life from various accidents. • **Highest** — Sarvottam is the highest in the Jeevan Raksha Padak series, followed by Uttam and Jeevan Raksha Padaks. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Military Gallantry: This refers to awards like Param Vir Chakra or Ashoka Chakra; Peacetime Service: While it happens in peacetime, the focus is on 'bravery' and 'saving life', not general service; Scientific Merit: This would be for scientific achievements, not life-saving acts of bravery.

Correct Answer: D. Half Blue and Half Orange

• **Half Blue and Half Orange** = The Vir Chakra ribbon is divided into two vertical halves of dark blue and saffron (orange). • **Two** — The ribbon has two distinct vertical halves, with blue representing sky/sea and saffron symbolizing sacrifice. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Plain Purple: Not the color of the Vir Chakra ribbon; Red with a white stripe: This is the ribbon color for some other awards, but not Vir Chakra; Dark Green: Not the color of the Vir Chakra ribbon.

Correct Answer: C. Kirti Chakra

• **Kirti Chakra** = In the hierarchy of peacetime gallantry awards, the Shaurya Chakra comes immediately after the Kirti Chakra. • **Equivalent** — The Shaurya Chakra is equivalent in rank to the wartime Vir Chakra, making it the third-highest peacetime gallantry award. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Ashoka Chakra: This is the highest peacetime award, Kirti Chakra follows it, then Shaurya Chakra; Vir Chakra: This is a wartime award, equivalent in rank to Shaurya Chakra, but not the award it follows in peacetime hierarchy; Maha Vir Chakra: This is the second-highest wartime award, higher than Shaurya Chakra.

Correct Answer: D. President's Police Medal for Gallantry

• **President's Police Medal for Gallantry** = This is the highest gallantry honor specifically for police officers in India, now often referred to as the Medal for Gallantry. • **Republic Day and Independence Day** — It is awarded on Republic Day and Independence Day, recognizing conspicuous bravery. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Shaurya Chakra: Police officers can receive this, but PPMG is their specific apex award; Vir Chakra: This is a military wartime gallantry award, not specific to police; Sena Medal: This is a military award for the Army, not for police forces.