Military Awards & PVC — Set 16
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 151–160 of 160
The formal citation for the Param Vir Chakra is read out at which ceremony?
Correct Answer: B. President's levee at Rashtrapati Bhavan
The formal investiture ceremony for military honours including the PVC takes place at Rashtrapati Bhavan (the President's official residence). The President of India presents the award in person or to the next of kin. The citation is read out formally before the award is bestowed.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka's PVC action — he seized an enemy light machine gun and turned it on the enemy before advancing on a bunker. This occurred in which East Pakistan sector?
Correct Answer: B. Hilli/Gangasagar
Lance Naik Albert Ekka's extraordinary act occurred at Gangasagar in the Hilli sector of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on December 3, 1971. He first knocked out a machine gun post and then charged a bunker despite being fatally wounded. His regiment, 14 Guards, was part of the force attacking in the Hilli area.
Among all Indian gallantry awards, which award specifically recognises bravery in the face of the enemy — civilian or military?
Correct Answer: A. Only PVC
The Param Vir Chakra specifically recognises bravery 'in the face of the enemy' and is awarded only to armed forces personnel. The Ashoka Chakra specifically recognises bravery 'NOT in the face of the enemy.' Civilians who perform extraordinary bravery receive Ashoka Chakra (peacetime), not PVC. PVC is exclusively military and exclusively wartime.
Which of the PVC recipients in Kargil (1999) belonged to the Gorkha Rifles?
Correct Answer: C. Manoj Kumar Pandey
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey served in the 1st Battalion, 11th Gorkha Rifles (1/11 GR). He was the only Kargil PVC recipient from a Gorkha Rifles regiment. He was posthumously awarded the PVC for his bravery at Khalubar in the Batalik sector.
The Battle of Sirijap for which Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa received the PVC was fought in which of India's union territories?
Correct Answer: A. Ladakh
Sirijap Post was located in Ladakh, which is now a Union Territory of India (separated from J&K in 2019). During the 1962 war, it was part of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Subedar Dhan Singh Thapa's action at Sirijap Post on October 20, 1962 demonstrated exceptional bravery in the face of overwhelming Chinese forces.
In which language is the motto 'Param Vir Chakra' inscribed on the medal itself?
Correct Answer: A. Hindi (Devanagari script)
'Param Vir Chakra' is inscribed on the medal in Hindi using the Devanagari script. While the words 'Param Vir Chakra' originate from Sanskrit, the inscription on the medal uses Devanagari script which is used for both Hindi and Sanskrit. The design was approved when the award was instituted on January 26, 1950.
Of the 21 total PVC recipients, how many are from the Jammu and Kashmir (JAK) regiment family?
Correct Answer: B. 2
Two PVC recipients are from the JAK regiment family: Captain Vikram Batra (13 JAK Rifles, 1999) and Subedar Sanjay Kumar (13 JAK Rifles, 1999). Both were from the same battalion — 13 JAK Rifles. Additionally, Honorary Captain Bana Singh (8 JAK LI) received the PVC for Siachen 1987, making it potentially three from the extended JAK family.
Major Somnath Sharma's last communication before his death on November 3, 1947 is famous. What did he reportedly say?
Correct Answer: B. 'The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.'
Major Somnath Sharma's famous last message to his Brigade HQ before being killed at Badgam on November 3, 1947 is: 'The enemy is only 50 yards from us. We are heavily outnumbered. We are under devastating fire. I shall not withdraw an inch but will fight to the last man and the last round.' This communication earned him the first PVC.
The Battle of Phillora in the 1965 war — for which Lt Col A B Tarapore received the PVC — was fought in which country's territory?
Correct Answer: C. Pakistan (near Sialkot)
The Battle of Phillora was fought near Sialkot in Pakistani territory during the 1965 war, as Indian forces had crossed the International Border. Lt Col A B Tarapore led 17 Poona Horse's Centurion tanks in capturing Phillora. He was killed while leading an attack at Wazirwali during the Chawinda engagement on September 16, 1965.
The iconic scene of the 1971 surrender — Lt Gen Aurora and Lt Gen Niazi signing the surrender document — took place at what time on December 16, 1971?
Correct Answer: B. 4:31 PM (IST)
The Instrument of Surrender was signed at 4:31 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on December 16, 1971, at the Ramna Racecourse in Dhaka. This precise time is historically significant as it marks the end of the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh. The day is commemorated as Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) in India.