Military Awards & PVC — Set 7
Defence GK · सैन्य पुरस्कार और PVC · Questions 61–70 of 160
Captain G S Salaria's PVC action in Congo in 1961 — he charged with which weapon after his company was ambushed?
Correct Answer: A. Sten gun and bayonet
Captain G S Salaria charged the Katangese gendarmes with a Sten gun and bayonet after his platoon was ambushed near Elizabethville (now Lubumbashi) in Congo on December 5, 1961. He killed several gendarmes before being shot in the neck. His action freed his men and restored order. He died shortly after from his wounds.
Subedar Bana Singh, the Siachen PVC recipient, rose to which final rank after retirement?
Correct Answer: B. Honorary Captain
Subedar Bana Singh was promoted and eventually retired as Honorary Captain Bana Singh. 'Honorary' ranks are given to JCOs as a mark of special recognition. He received the PVC for capturing the Pakistani 'Quaid' post on the Siachen Glacier on June 26, 1987.
In the gallantry award system, which category of personnel are eligible for the Param Vir Chakra?
Correct Answer: C. All ranks of the Indian Armed Forces
The Param Vir Chakra can be awarded to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces — from the lowest rank sepoy/recruit to the highest rank Field Marshal. This is evident from recipients like Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, and Naik Jadunath Singh, all of whom received the PVC as Other Ranks (not officers).
The Battle of Rezang La in 1962 saw Major Shaitan Singh lead which company?
Correct Answer: C. C Company (Charlie Company)
Major Shaitan Singh led C Company (Charlie Company) of 13 Kumaon Regiment at the Battle of Rezang La in Ladakh on November 18, 1962. He and 120 soldiers of C Company fought to the last against Chinese forces that outnumbered them. Over 100 men of the company were killed fighting bravely.
Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat's bravery at Nuranang in the 1962 war earned him the PVC. A temple/shrine dedicated to him is at which pass?
Correct Answer: B. Sela Pass
A shrine/temple dedicated to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat is located near Sela Pass in Arunachal Pradesh. Local tribes in the area believe his spirit still guards the pass. The temple is maintained by the Indian Army and is visited by soldiers and civilians alike.
The Maha Vir Chakra is associated with which ribbon colour?
Correct Answer: D. Half white half orange
The Maha Vir Chakra ribbon is half white and half orange. The PVC ribbon is crimson with no stripes. The Vir Chakra ribbon is half blue and half orange. These distinct ribbon colours help identify different awards at a glance.
How many PVCs were awarded in the 1987 Siachen operations?
Correct Answer: B. 1
One Param Vir Chakra was awarded for the 1987 Siachen operations — to Subedar (later Honorary Captain) Bana Singh of 8 JAK LI for capturing the Pakistani 'Quaid' post. This was the only PVC for Siachen operations. The Siachen Glacier has seen continuous Indian deployment since Operation Meghdoot in 1984.
The PVC awarded to Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran in 1987 was for operations in Sri Lanka. He served in which regiment?
Correct Answer: C. 8 Mahar Regiment
Major Ramaswamy Parameswaran of 8 Mahar Regiment was posthumously awarded the PVC for his bravery in Sri Lanka on November 25, 1987. He was ambushed by LTTE while on patrol near Uduville in Jaffna. Even after being fatally shot, he tackled the LTTE ambush leader and killed him before dying.
The PVC ribbon colour for the Param Vir Chakra is:
Correct Answer: A. Crimson
The Param Vir Chakra ribbon is crimson (dark red) with no stripes, making it distinctive and immediately recognisable. The word 'Crimson' was specifically chosen to denote blood and sacrifice. The medal itself hangs from a pin-back brooch with the ribbon attached.
Which statement about gallantry vs service medals is correct?
Correct Answer: C. Gallantry medals are for bravery, service medals (VSM/AVSM/PVSM) are for meritorious service
Gallantry medals (PVC, MVC, VC, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra) are specifically for acts of bravery. Service medals like VSM (Vishisht Seva Medal), AVSM (Ati Vishisht Seva Medal), and PVSM (Param Vishisht Seva Medal) are for distinguished or meritorious service over time. The criteria are fundamentally different.