Gallantry Awards:

Gallantry Awards: Recently, Indian President honored 6 Kirti Chakras and 33 Shaurya Chakras to personnel from the Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and State & Union Territory Police in recognition of their exceptional bravery and valor.

• About Gallantry Awards: Instituted to recognize exceptional bravery and sacrifice by Armed Forces personnel, lawfully constituted forces, and civilians.

၀ Historical Timeline:

- January 26, 1950: Introduction of the first three awards — Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra — with retrospective effect from August 15, 1947.

- January 4, 1952: Introduction of three additional awards — Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II, and III, also effective from August 15, 1947.

- January 1967: These were renamed to Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively.

၀ Announced twice annually, on Republic Day and Independence Day.

၀ Classification of Awards:

- Wartime Gallantry Awards – For acts of bravery in direct confrontation with the enemy.

- Peacetime Gallantry Awards – For courageous actions in non-combat situations.

• Order of precedence: Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.