Military Awards & PVC — Set 15
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 141–150 of 160
Which Kargil War hero commanded the LOC/Drass sub-sector during the initial phase of Operation Vijay?
Correct Answer: B. Col Khushal Thakur
Colonel Khushal Thakur commanded the 56 Mountain Brigade in the Drass sub-sector during the initial phase of Operation Vijay in the Kargil War. He was responsible for operations in the Drass area including the recapture of Tololing and Tiger Hill. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership.
Which gallantry award is popularly known as India's 'Peace Time VC' (Vir Chakra equivalent)?
Correct Answer: B. Shaurya Chakra
The Shaurya Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra and is often called the 'peacetime VC.' It is India's third highest peacetime gallantry award, below the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra. The Shaurya Chakra is frequently awarded to soldiers for counter-terrorism operations like in Jammu and Kashmir.
Which regiment produced the most PVC recipients in a single conflict (Kargil War 1999)?
Correct Answer: C. 13 JAK Rifles
13 JAK Rifles (13th Battalion, Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry) produced two PVC recipients from the Kargil War: Captain Vikram Batra (posthumous) and Subedar (then Rifleman) Sanjay Kumar (survived). No other regiment produced more than one PVC in the Kargil War.
The biopic film 'Shershaah' was dedicated to which person, Vikram Batra's girlfriend who remained faithful after his death?
Correct Answer: A. Dimple Cheema
The film 'Shershaah' prominently featured Dimple Cheema, Vikram Batra's girlfriend who was deeply in love with him. After his death on July 7, 1999, she never married and kept his memory alive. The film depicted their romance and her unwavering dedication to his memory, making her a symbol of ultimate loyalty.
The Vir Chakra awarded to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019 — which Prime Minister presented it?
Correct Answer: D. None — President presents it
Like all military gallantry awards in India, the Vir Chakra to Wing Commander Abhinandan was formally awarded by the President of India (the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces). President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award to Abhinandan. The PM does not present military awards.
CQMH Abdul Hamid's PVC was for the Battle of Asal Uttar in 1965. 'Asal Uttar' in Hindi roughly means:
Correct Answer: B. Real Answer/True Reply
'Asal Uttar' (also spelled Asal Uttar) roughly translates to 'Fitting Reply' or 'True Answer' in Urdu/Hindi. The Battle of Asal Uttar in the Khem Karan sector (September 1965) was indeed a fitting reply to Pakistan's armoured thrust. India destroyed over 90 Pakistani Patton tanks in this battle, making it one of history's largest tank engagements.
The Param Vir Chakra for the 1987 IPKF operation — awarded to Major Parameswaran — was the only PVC for which type of operation outside India's borders?
Correct Answer: C. Bilateral military assistance
Major Parameswaran's PVC for the 1987 Sri Lanka IPKF operation is unique as it was awarded for a bilateral military assistance operation (not a declared war and not a UN peacekeeping mission, though sometimes confused with Captain Salaria's Congo UN PVC). The IPKF was deployed under the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987.
As of 2024, how many living PVC recipients remain?
Correct Answer: B. 3
As of recent years, approximately three living PVC recipients remain — though this number changes. The surviving Kargil War PVC recipients (Yogendra Singh Yadav and Sanjay Kumar) are living. Bana Singh (Siachen 1987) and Hoshiyar Singh (1971) may also be living depending on the year. The exact count changes as recipients pass away.
The 1971 war PVC recipient 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal — he was just 21 years old. Which IMA passing-out year did he belong to?
Correct Answer: B. June 1971
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was commissioned from the Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun in June 1971, just months before the 1971 war. He was killed in action on December 16, 1971 — the day the war ended in the east. He served for just over 6 months before making the supreme sacrifice.
Which civilian award is considered equivalent to the Maha Vir Chakra in terms of order of precedence?
Correct Answer: C. Kirti Chakra (peacetime equivalent)
The Kirti Chakra (peacetime gallantry, second highest) is equivalent in order of precedence to the Maha Vir Chakra (wartime, second highest). Both rank below their respective top awards (PVC/Ashoka Chakra) and above the third-tier awards (VC/Shaurya Chakra). This symmetric structure covers both wartime and peacetime bravery at three levels.