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Gallantry awards represent the highest honours bestowed upon individuals who have displayed exceptional courage, valour, and selflessness in the face of adversity.
There are 6 gallantry awards in India. The three gallantry awards namely Maha Vir Chakra, Param Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra were instituted on 26th January 1950 by the Government of India
and later on three more awards were added in the list of gallantry awards Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra in 1952

Types Of Gallantry Awards :-

War time gallantry awards:

These were constituted on 26th January 1950 which were deemed to have effect from 15th August, 1947.

These are Param vir chakra, Maha vir chakra and Vir Chakra in the order of precedence.

These are only awarded to the members of armed forces.

Peacetime Gallantry awards:

These awards are peacetime military decorations awarded for the acts of bravery to maintain peace in situations other than war instituted on 4th January 1952.

These are Ashok chakra, Kirti chakra and Shaurya chakra in the order of precedence.

These awards can be awarded to both the members of armed forces and civilians for the act of bravery during non-combat situations.

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• India's highest military decoration for valor during wartime.
• Design: Circular bronze medal with Indra's vajra and Shivaji's sword; purple ribbon.
• Awarded to Indian Armed Forces members (Army, Navy, Air Force).

Battle of Basantar:

The Battle of Basantar took place in the Shakargarh sector during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.

17 Poona Horse:

Khetarpal was a young officer in the 17 Poona Horse regiment.

Heroic Stand:

In the face of a Pakistani counter-attack, Khetarpal, despite being heavily outnumbered, destroyed several enemy tanks.

Posthumous Award:

Khetarpal was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration for valor, posthumously.

Symbol of Courage:

His bravery and sacrifice have made him a symbol of courage and valor in the Indian Army.

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• Second-highest military decoration for exceptional bravery during war.
• Design: Circular silver medal with a heraldic star; ribbon is half white, half orange.
• Given to armed forces personnel for valor in combat.

Indo-Pak War of 1947:

Rai played a key role in the defense of Srinagar during the first Indo-Pakistani War.

1st Battalion, Sikh Regiment:

He commanded the 1st Battalion of the Sikh Regiment, initially stationed in Gurgaon for refugee arrangements.

Airlift to Srinagar:

On 27 October 1947, Rai and his troops were airlifted in 30 Dakota aircraft (one piloted by Biju Patnaik) to protect Srinagar.

Battle at Pattan:

He defended the Baramulla-Srinagar highway and the Srinagar airfield from Pakistani tribal invaders, enabling more troops to land.

Supreme Sacrifice:

Rai was martyred on 27 October 1947 while leading his men at Pattan, becoming the first Indian Army officer post-independence to die in battle.

Legacy of Bravery:

His courage and leadership were crucial in saving Srinagar and Jammu & Kashmir during the invasion.

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• Awarded for acts of bravery during combat operations and counter-insurgency missions.
• Design: Circular silver medal with a five-pointed star; ribbon is half blue, half orange.
• GConferred on armed forces members (Army, Navy, Air Force).

Kargil War – Hero of Batalik:

Major Saravanan was one of the first officers martyred during the Kargil War, leading a daring assault on a fortified Pakistani position in the Batalik sector.

1 Bihar Regiment:

He commanded a company of the 1 Bihar Regiment and spearheaded the attack on Point 4268 at 14,229 ft despite heavy enemy fire.

Fearless Assault:

Saravanan destroyed enemy positions with a rocket launcher, personally killing four intruders in hand-to-hand combat before being fatally shot.

Battle at Pattan:

He defended the Baramulla-Srinagar highway and the Srinagar airfield from Pakistani tribal invaders, enabling more troops to land.

Supreme Sacrifice:

He fought until his last breath, ensuring strategic ground was secured for Indian forces, and his leadership inspired his men to continue the mission.

Legacy of Valor:

Remembered as the “Hero of Batalik,” his bravery symbolizes unwavering courage and devotion to the motherland.

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• Awarded for Highest peacetime decoration for bravery in non-combat situations.
• Design: Circular gold medal with Ashoka Chakra and lotus wreath; dark green ribbon with saffron stripe.
• Awarded to both civilians and armed forces personnel.

Operation in Shopian:

Mukund led a counter-terror operation in Shopian, J&K, targeting militants responsible for killing polling officials.

44 Rashtriya Rifles:

He belonged to the 44 Rashtriya Rifles (22 Rajput) and spearheaded a close-quarter battle against heavily armed terrorists.

Heroic Action:

Despite being critically injured, he killed two militants and secured the area for civilian safety.

Supreme Sacrifice:

He succumbed to injuries during evacuation, becoming a symbol of fearless leadership and duty.

Legacy of Valor:

Mukund’s bravery earned him the Ashoka Chakra and eternal respect as a modern hero of the nation.

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• Awarded for bravery in non-combat situations.
• Design: Circular silver medal with Ashoka Chakra and lotus wreath; dark green ribbon with two saffron stripes.
• Awarded to armed forces, police, and civilians..

Operation Rahat - Uttarakhand Rescue Mission:

As captain of a Mi‑17 V5 helicopter, Castelino led multiple rescue sorties during the devastating floods and landslides in Uttarakhand in June 2013. He and his crew saved hundreds of stranded pilgrims under extreme weather conditions

Heroic Conduct:

On June 25, during a return from a Kedarnath mission, his helicopter crashed near Gaurikund amidst treacherous weather after completing life‑saving sorties. He had rescued at least 300 people that day before the fatal flight

Supreme Sacrifice:

He died in the line of duty and was later laid to rest in Mumbai with full military honours, including a 21-gun salute. His funeral was attended by dignitaries, Air Force officers, and thousands of mourners.

Legacy of Valor:

Known affectionately as “Castro Dayawan,” Castelino is remembered for his bravery, compassion, and unwavering dedication. His actions symbolized selfless service, making his Kirti Chakra truly deserved and his memory eternal.

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• Recognizes bravery and heroism in non-combat situations (lifesaving, extraordinary courage).
• Design: Circular bronze medal with Ashoka Chakra and lotus wreath; green ribbon with three orange stripes.
• Conferred on armed forces, police, firefighters, and civilians

44 Rashtriya Rifles (17 Rajput):

Deployed to the 44 RR unit in December 2012 under the Rajput Regiment, Sepoy Singh served in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir’s Shopian region

Qazipathri Operation (25 Apr 2014):

Acting as Major Mukund Varadarajan’s buddy, he helped cordon off a terrorist hideout in Shopian. He placed explosive charges and repeatedly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire, covering his commander’s advance

Heroic Sacrifice:

After Major Mukund was critically injured, Sepoy Vikram shielded him and called for evacuation. Despite being struck by bullets to the head and neck, he held his ground and neutralized the remaining terrorist before succumbing to his wounds at the encounter site

Legacy of Valor:

Awarded the Shaurya Chakra for extraordinary bravery and self-sacrifice. Remembered as a symbol of courage, duty, and unwavering devotion to his comrades and the nation. Survived by his wife, Sushila, and young son Abhishek

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• Honors exceptional devotion to duty or acts of courage by Indian Army personnel.
• Design: Circular silver medal with a bayonet, pointed upwards, ribbon is red with a grey vertical stripe.
• All ranks of the Indian Army, for gallantry or distinguished service (can be awarded posthumously).

First Woman Indian Army Officer to Win a Gallantry Award:

Major Mitali Madhumita of the Army Education Corps became the first female officer in the Indian Army to receive a gallantry medal—awarded the Sena Medal for bravery during an attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul on 26 February 2010

Heroic Rescue in Kabul:

When terrorists bombed and stormed the embassy and guesthouse, Major Madhumita ran nearly 2 km on foot into an active combat zone, unarmed, and rescued numerous fellow officers and locals trapped under debris. She saved at least 19 lives, including seven Indians.

Operational & Service Record:

She had earlier served in conflict-prone areas including Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeast, and later fought a legal battle for a permanent commission, which she won in the Indian Supreme Court in 2016

Legacy of Courage:

Mitali Madhumita’s fearless leadership and selfless action set a milestone for women in the armed forces. Her gallantry inspires generations of Indian women officers to come.

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