Gallantry Awards — Set 6

Correct Answer: B. Wheel of Dharma

• **Wheel of Dharma** = The Ashoka Chakra award centrally features a replica of the Wheel of Dharma, symbolizing progress and righteousness. • **Lion Capital** — The wheel depicted on the Ashoka Chakra is a replica from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Lion Capital: While the wheel is from the Lion Capital, the capital itself is not the central symbol on the medal; Five-pointed star: This is not a symbol featured on the Ashoka Chakra medal; Sword: A sword is not the central symbol of the Ashoka Chakra medal.

Correct Answer: A. Neerja Bhanot

• **Neerja Bhanot** = Neerja Bhanot was the first woman to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, posthumously recognized for her bravery during a hijack. • **1986** — She was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously for saving passengers during a hijack in this year. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Kiran Bedi: India's first female IPS officer, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient; Arati Saha: The first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient; Bachendri Pal: The first Indian woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, not an Ashoka Chakra recipient.

Correct Answer: B. Vir Chakra

• **Vir Chakra** = The Vir Chakra is the third-highest wartime gallantry decoration awarded in India for bravery against the enemy. • **Silver** — The medal is made of silver and features a hollow star, denoting its specific design and material. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Shaurya Chakra: This is a peacetime gallantry award, not wartime; Sena Medal: This is an Army-specific service medal, not a general wartime gallantry decoration; Kirti Chakra: This is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, not wartime.

Correct Answer: B. Three

• **Three** = There are three distinct levels in the peacetime gallantry awards hierarchy: Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. • **1967** — In this year, the peacetime awards were renamed from Ashoka Chakra Class I, II, and III to their current names. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Two: This number is incorrect as there are three levels; Four: This number is incorrect as there are three levels; Six: This number is incorrect as there are three levels.

Correct Answer: A. Goa

• **Goa** = The Gaur, also known as the Indian Bison, is the state animal of Goa and is sometimes featured in institutional insignias. • **Indian Bison** — The Gaur is also known as the Indian Bison, a large bovine native to South and Southeast Asia. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Himachal Pradesh: The state animal of Himachal Pradesh is the Snow Leopard; Punjab: The state animal of Punjab is the Blackbuck; Bihar: While the Gaur is also present in Bihar, Goa is the specific state whose animal is referenced as the mascot in this context.

Correct Answer: B. Army

• **Army** = The Sena Medal is an award specific to the Indian Army, recognizing acts of courage or devotion to duty. • **Nao Sena Medal** — This is the equivalent award for the Indian Navy, recognizing similar acts of service and valor. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Air Force: The equivalent award for the Air Force is the Vayu Sena Medal; Navy: The equivalent award for the Navy is the Nao Sena Medal; Coast Guard: The Coast Guard has its own service medals, but the Sena Medal is not specific to it.

Correct Answer: B. Bronze

• **Bronze** = The Shaurya Chakra medal is made of bronze, making it distinct from other gallantry awards in its material composition. • **Third-highest** — This position places it in the hierarchy of peacetime gallantry awards, after the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gold: Gold is not the material used for the Shaurya Chakra medal; Silver: Silver is used for the Kirti Chakra and Vir Chakra medals; Iron: Iron is not a material used for major gallantry medals.

Correct Answer: B. Bronze

• **Bronze** = The Param Vir Chakra, India's highest wartime gallantry award, is officially made of bronze. • **Indra’s Vajra** — The medal features four replicas of 'Indra’s Vajra' surrounding the state emblem, symbolizing ultimate power and sacrifice. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Gold: Gold is not the material used for the Param Vir Chakra medal; Silver: Silver is used for other gallantry medals like the Kirti Chakra and Vir Chakra; Brass: While bronze is an alloy, brass is not the specified material for this medal.

Correct Answer: A. President of India

• **President of India** = The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces and officially confers all gallantry awards. • **Rashtrapati Bhavan** — Awards are presented during special investiture ceremonies at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of government, not the supreme commander of the armed forces; Chief of Defence Staff: The Chief of Defence Staff is the principal military advisor, but not the supreme commander; Defence Minister: The Defence Minister is the head of the Ministry of Defence, but not the supreme commander.

Correct Answer: B. Wartime Gallantry Awards

• **Wartime Gallantry Awards** = The motto 'Valour in War' is most directly associated with wartime gallantry awards, which recognize courage during active conflict. • **PVC and MVC** — These awards, the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra, are prime examples of wartime gallantry decorations for exceptional bravery. • 💡 Wrong-option analysis: Civilian Awards: These awards recognize achievements in various fields by civilians, not military valour in war; Long Service Medals: These awards recognize years of service, not specific acts of gallantry; Police Medals: These awards are for police forces, distinct from military wartime gallantry.