Military Awards & PVC — Set 12
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 111–120 of 160
Which award recognises Indian soldiers who perform an act of devotion to duty or save the life of a fellow soldier, not necessarily an enemy engagement?
Correct Answer: B. Sena Medal (gallantry)
The Sena Medal (gallantry class) is awarded for acts of gallantry or devotion to duty, which can include saving the life of a fellow soldier. It is the next gallantry honour after the Shaurya Chakra in peacetime, and after the Vir Chakra in wartime. The Army equivalent includes acts not rising to PVC/MVC/VC level.
How many PVC recipients have been from the Gorkha Rifles regiments?
Correct Answer: C. 4
Four PVC recipients are from Gorkha Rifles regiments: Subedar Joginder Singh (1/1 Sikh, not Gorkha — correction: he was from 1 Sikh Regiment), Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey (1/11 Gorkha Rifles), and others. Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat (4 Garhwal Rifles, which is not Gorkha) and Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa (1/8 Gorkha) are among Gorkha regiment PVCs.
Major Shaitan Singh of 13 Kumaon, PVC recipient from the 1962 war, led C Company at Rezang La. How many men of his company survived the Chinese onslaught?
Correct Answer: A. None survived
Of the approximately 120 soldiers of C Company, 13 Kumaon at Rezang La, virtually none survived the Chinese onslaught on November 18, 1962. The entire company fought to the last. Their remains and positions, when discovered in 1963, showed that every man had died fighting at his post, demonstrating extraordinary collective courage.
The 1962 Sino-Indian War Param Vir Chakra: all four recipients fought on which front?
Correct Answer: A. Both Eastern (NEFA) and Western (Ladakh) fronts
The four 1962 PVC recipients fought on both fronts: Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa (Ladakh — Sirijap Post), Subedar Joginder Singh (NEFA — Tongpen La), Major Shaitan Singh (Ladakh — Rezang La), and Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat (NEFA — Nuranang). This demonstrates the widespread nature of the 1962 war.
The Maha Vir Chakra is awarded to whom?
Correct Answer: C. All ranks of armed forces (not civilians)
The Maha Vir Chakra, like the PVC and Vir Chakra, is awarded to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces — Army, Navy, and Air Force. It cannot be awarded to civilians. It is India's second highest wartime gallantry award and has been awarded across officers, JCOs, and other ranks.
The PVC medal weighing approximately how much is struck in bronze?
Correct Answer: A. 50 grams
The Param Vir Chakra medal is approximately 50 grams in weight and 35mm (1.375 inches) in diameter, struck in standard bronze. The medal features the State Emblem on the obverse. The design incorporates the Vajra (thunderbolt weapon of Indra) and four replicas of Indra's Vajra.
During the 2016 surgical strikes, Para SF soldiers who participated were awarded which gallantry/service awards?
Correct Answer: B. Kirti Chakra
Para SF soldiers who participated in the September 2016 Surgical Strikes received various awards including the Kirti Chakra (peacetime gallantry, second highest) and Shaurya Chakra. Since the strikes were conducted across the LoC (not declared war), they fell under peacetime awards. No PVC was awarded as it requires wartime conditions.
Which PVC recipient from the 1971 war later had a post/peak in Siachen named after him (different from Bana Top)?
Correct Answer: A. Arun Khetarpal
While Bana Top (named after Honorary Captain Bana Singh, Siachen 1987) is the most famous Siachen naming, several features have been named after 1971 war heroes. The question relates to honours bestowed post-war. Arun Khetarpal's name is prominently associated with the Poona Horse Regiment and Basantar Battle memorial.
The Param Vir Chakra was made retrospective to which date, allowing awards for pre-1950 actions?
Correct Answer: B. August 15, 1947
The Param Vir Chakra was made retrospective to August 15, 1947 — India's Independence Day. This allowed awards for actions from the 1947-48 Kashmir War, including Major Somnath Sharma's posthumous PVC for November 3, 1947 Badgam action. The award was formally instituted on January 26, 1950 (Republic Day).
Which Indian state has produced the most Param Vir Chakra recipients?
Correct Answer: B. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has produced the most Param Vir Chakra recipients among all Indian states. Several PVC recipients including Major Somnath Sharma (Kangra district — now Himachal Pradesh), Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey, and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav are from UP or Uttarakhand. The Kumaon hills region (now Uttarakhand, originally UP) is particularly well-represented.