Military Awards & PVC — Set 10
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 91–100 of 160
The Param Vir Chakra citation of CQMH Abdul Hamid mentions specifically which engagement in 1965?
Correct Answer: A. Battle of Khem Karan
CQMH Abdul Hamid's PVC was for his extraordinary bravery in the Battle of Asal Uttar in the Khem Karan sector on September 8-10, 1965. He used a jeep-mounted RCL gun to knock out Pakistani Patton tanks, single-handedly reversing the Pakistani thrust. He was killed when a tank shell hit his jeep on September 10, 1965.
The Naik Jadunath Singh memorial is located in which city?
Correct Answer: D. Shahjahanpur
Naik Jadunath Singh was from Khajuri village in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. A memorial to him exists in Shahjahanpur. He was from the 3rd Battalion Rajput Regiment and posthumously awarded the PVC for his bravery at Naushera on February 6, 1948.
What distinguishes the Param Vir Chakra from the Ashoka Chakra in terms of the operational context for which it is awarded?
Correct Answer: B. PVC is for wartime gallantry in the presence of the enemy; Ashoka Chakra is for peacetime gallantry or gallantry not in the presence of the enemy
The fundamental distinction is the context: PVC is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy (wartime). The Ashoka Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice not in the face of the enemy (peacetime). Both are India's highest awards in their respective contexts.
Subedar (later Maj) Dhan Singh Thapa's PVC was for actions at Sirijap Post in 1962. He belonged to which Gorkha regiment?
Correct Answer: B. 1/8 Gorkha Rifles
Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa served in the 1st Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles (1/8 GR). He was awarded the PVC for his bravery at Sirijap Post in Ladakh on October 20, 1962, when Chinese forces overwhelmed his post. He was initially captured and held as a POW before returning to India.
The Battle of Badgam on November 3, 1947 — for which Major Somnath Sharma earned the first PVC — was fought against which force?
Correct Answer: C. Pakistani-backed tribal militia (Kabailees)
The Battle of Badgam was fought against Pakistani-backed tribal militia (known as Kabailees or Lashkars) who had invaded Kashmir from Pakistan. These were tribals from the NWFP (North-West Frontier Province) organised and supported by Pakistan. Major Somnath Sharma's 4 Kumaon company held off approximately 700 tribals.
Which of the following is a correct statement about India's gallantry awards?
Correct Answer: D. No Navy officer has ever received the PVC
No Indian Navy officer has ever received the Param Vir Chakra. PVC recipients have come from the Indian Army (majority) and Indian Air Force (Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, 1971). The PVC cannot be awarded to civilians — it is exclusively for members of the Indian Armed Forces. The Navy's highest gallantry is the MVC.
The 'Dhanush' battery that successfully deployed during the 1971 war and the Bofors battery during Kargil — both used which type of artillery?
Correct Answer: B. Towed field guns/howitzers
Both the 76mm field guns of 1971 and the Bofors FH77B howitzers of 1999 Kargil War were towed field guns/howitzers (not self-propelled). Artillery played a crucial role in both wars. In Kargil especially, the Bofors guns' accuracy at extreme range was decisive in destroying Pakistani bunkers on mountain peaks.
Captain Vikram Batra's codename during the Kargil War, which also became the title of a Bollywood film about him, was:
Correct Answer: B. Lion's Den (Shershaah)
Captain Vikram Batra's battle codename during the Kargil War was 'Shershaah' meaning 'Lion's Den' or 'Tiger's Den.' This codename was used in radio communications during operations. The Bollywood biopic 'Shershaah' (2021) was named after this codename.
What is the pension amount/allowance associated with the Param Vir Chakra?
Correct Answer: C. Monthly pension for life to recipient or their family
PVC recipients receive a monthly monetary allowance for life (or their family in case of posthumous recipients) from the Central Government. Additionally, many state governments provide their own supplementary allowances to PVC recipients from their states. The quantum of the central allowance has been periodically revised upward.
The first PVC awarded to a serving (surviving) soldier (not posthumous) in the 1947-48 Kashmir War was to:
Correct Answer: C. 2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane
2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane of the Corps of Engineers was a surviving PVC recipient from the 1947-48 Kashmir War. He was awarded the PVC for his repeated acts of bravery in clearing mines and building roads under fire. Among the four 1947-48 PVCs, Rane and one other were the surviving recipients.