Military Awards & PVC — Set 1
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 1–10 of 160
Who was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC)?
Correct Answer: B. Major Somnath Sharma
Major Somnath Sharma of 4 Kumaon Regiment was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. He was posthumously awarded for his action on November 3, 1947 at Badgam, Kashmir, where he held off a large enemy force despite being wounded. He sacrificed his life but prevented the enemy from capturing Srinagar airport.
In which war was the first Param Vir Chakra awarded?
Correct Answer: C. 1947-48 Kashmir War
The first Param Vir Chakra was awarded for action in the 1947-48 Kashmir War. Major Somnath Sharma received it posthumously for his bravery at Badgam, Kashmir on November 3, 1947. The PVC was instituted on January 26, 1950, retrospective to August 15, 1947.
What is the correct hierarchy of India's gallantry awards (highest to lowest)?
Correct Answer: A. PVC > Ashoka Chakra > MVC > VC
India's gallantry award hierarchy is: PVC (highest wartime gallantry) > Ashoka Chakra (highest peacetime gallantry) > MVC > Kirti Chakra > Vir Chakra > Shaurya Chakra. The PVC is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy. Ashoka Chakra is for gallantry not in the face of the enemy.
CQMH Abdul Hamid was posthumously awarded the PVC for destroying Pakistani Patton tanks in the 1965 war. Which weapon did he use?
Correct Answer: B. RCL gun (Recoilless Rifle)
Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers used a jeep-mounted recoilless rifle (RCL gun) to destroy Pakistani Patton tanks in Khem Karan sector during the 1965 war. He destroyed at least 3-7 Pakistani tanks in a single engagement. He was killed when a Pakistani tank shell hit his jeep on September 10, 1965.
Lt Col A B Tarapore won the PVC in the 1965 war at which location?
Correct Answer: B. Phillora
Lt Col Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore of 17 Poona Horse was awarded the PVC posthumously for his extraordinary bravery at Phillora in Sialkot sector during the 1965 war. He led his regiment's Centurion tanks against overwhelming Pakistani armour and destroyed a large number of enemy tanks. He was killed on September 16, 1965 but his regiment fulfilled its objective.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon received the PVC for his actions on December 14, 1971. He belonged to which service?
Correct Answer: C. Indian Air Force
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon of the Indian Air Force is the only IAF officer to receive the Param Vir Chakra. He single-handedly intercepted six Pakistani Sabre jets attacking Srinagar airbase and shot down two of them before being killed. He was posthumously awarded the PVC for his supreme gallantry.
How many Param Vir Chakra recipients are from the 1999 Kargil War?
Correct Answer: C. 4
Four Param Vir Chakras were awarded for the 1999 Kargil War: Captain Vikram Batra (posthumous), Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey (posthumous), Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav (survived), and Subedar Sanjay Kumar (survived). This is the highest number of PVCs awarded for any single conflict since the 1971 war. Operation Vijay in 1999 successfully recaptured strategic positions in Kargil, Drass, and surrounding areas.
Subedar (later Maj) Dhan Singh Thapa was awarded the PVC for his bravery in which war?
Correct Answer: C. 1962 Sino-Indian War
Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa of 1/8 Gorkha Rifles was awarded the PVC for his extraordinary bravery during the 1962 Sino-Indian War at Sirijap Post in Ladakh. He survived the war and is one of the few living PVC recipients from that conflict. He was later commissioned and rose to the rank of Major.
Captain G S Salaria received the PVC posthumously for his action in which African country while serving in a UN peacekeeping mission?
Correct Answer: C. Congo
Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria of 3/1 Gorkha Rifles was posthumously awarded the PVC for his bravery in the Congo (now Democratic Republic of Congo) on December 5, 1961, while serving with the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC). He was killed while leading a bayonet charge against armed gendarmes. He remains the only PVC recipient for a UN peacekeeping operation.
Subedar Joginder Singh of 1 Sikh Regiment was awarded the PVC posthumously for bravery in the 1962 war at which location?
Correct Answer: C. Tongpen La
Subedar Joginder Singh was awarded the PVC posthumously for his bravery at Tongpen La in NEFA during the 1962 war. He held off repeated Chinese attacks with a small force and continued to fight even when critically wounded. He was captured by Chinese forces and later died in captivity.