Military Awards & PVC
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · 18 facts
Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India's highest wartime gallantry award, equivalent to Britain's Victoria Cross; instituted January 26, 1950
Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): India's second highest wartime gallantry award; awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in presence of enemy
Vir Chakra (VC): India's third highest wartime gallantry award; for acts of bravery in face of enemy
Ashok Chakra: Highest peacetime gallantry award; equivalent to PVC but for actions not in direct enemy contact, often counter-terrorism
Kirti Chakra: Second highest peacetime gallantry award; for conspicuous gallantry not in direct enemy contact
Shaurya Chakra: Third highest peacetime gallantry award; often given to security forces fighting terrorism and insurgency
Major Somnath Sharma — 1st PVC: First ever PVC recipient (1947 war); killed defending Badgam airstrip Kashmir from Pakistani tribesmen on November 3, 1947
CQMH Abdul Hamid PVC (1965): Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid; destroyed 8 Pakistani Patton tanks at Asal Uttar with jeep-mounted gun; martyred September 10, 1965
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal PVC (1971): Youngest PVC recipient at age 21; destroyed several Pakistani tanks in Battle of Shakargarh; martyred December 16, 1971
Capt Vikram Batra PVC (1999): 'Sher Shah' of Kargil; recaptured Point 4875 and Tololing; famous quote 'Yeh Dil Maange More'; martyred July 7, 1999
Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey PVC (1999): 1/11 Gorkha Rifles; last words reportedly 'Na Chhodo' (don't leave); recaptured Khalubar; martyred July 3, 1999
Total PVC recipients: 21 Param Vir Chakras awarded in total; 20 posthumously; only 3 living recipients at any time (Subedar Bana Singh being a notable living recipient)
Subedar Bana Singh PVC (1987): Only living PVC recipient for long; recaptured Siachen Glacier's Quaid Post (renamed Bana Post) from Pakistan
PVC design: Circular bronze medal, image of Indra's thunderbolt (vajra) with 4 replicas of state emblem; ribbon has crimson/purple stripes
Gallantry award hierarchy: PVC > MVC > VC (wartime); Ashok Chakra > Kirti Chakra > Shaurya Chakra (peacetime)
Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal: Service-specific distinguished service medals for Army, Navy, Air Force respectively
Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM): Awarded to military officers and men for distinguished service of order; three grades for different ranks
Republic Day Gallantry Awards: Announced every Republic Day (January 26); also on Independence Day (August 15) for peacetime gallantry