Gallantry awards in India recognize acts of bravery and valor by the armed forces personnel and civilians. Instituted initially after India’s independence, these awards honor extraordinary service in the face of adversities. This guide covers the different gallantry awards and highlights the financial allowances associated with each.
1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
Overview: The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying valor in the face of the enemy. It is awarded only in wartime and is rarely bestowed, given its strict eligibility criteria.
Monetary Allowance: Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra receive a monthly allowance that varies by state, ranging from INR 10,000 to INR 20,000, reflecting the recognition of their service.
2. Maha Vir Chakra (MVC)
Overview: The Maha Vir Chakra is the second-highest wartime gallantry award, recognizing acts of conspicuous bravery in the battlefield. It is awarded to personnel of all ranks in the armed forces.
Monetary Allowance: MVC awardees receive a monthly allowance, which also varies across states. Typical allowances range from INR 5,000 to INR 15,000 per month, with additional state-provided incentives for families.
3. Vir Chakra
Overview: The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of bravery on the battlefield. It is the third-highest wartime gallantry award and is given to armed forces personnel who demonstrate exemplary courage in conflict situations.
Monetary Allowance: The Vir Chakra carries an allowance of around INR 3,000 to INR 10,000 monthly, depending on the recipient’s state, with additional family benefits often granted by state governments.
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4. Ashoka Chakra
Overview: The Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award. It is awarded for bravery, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. Unlike the PVC, MVC, and Vir Chakra, which are specific to wartime, the Ashoka Chakra is awarded to military personnel and civilians alike during peacetime.
Monetary Allowance: The Ashoka Chakra offers recipients an allowance typically ranging from INR 6,000 to INR 15,000 per month, based on the state’s provisions.
5. Kirti Chakra
Overview: The Kirti Chakra is the second-highest peacetime gallantry award, recognizing remarkable courage displayed away from combat zones. It is given for extraordinary bravery shown by both military personnel and civilians.
Monetary Allowance: Kirti Chakra awardees receive a monthly allowance in the range of INR 4,500 to INR 12,000, which varies from state to state.
6. Shaurya Chakra
Overview: The Shaurya Chakra is the third-highest peacetime gallantry award, awarded to individuals for their courage during challenging situations outside active combat zones.
Monetary Allowance: Shaurya Chakra recipients receive a monthly allowance ranging from INR 3,000 to INR 10,000, with amounts differing across states.
Additional Gallantry Awards and Allowances
The above awards are among the most recognized, but additional medals like Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal recognize acts of courage by personnel from specific branches of the armed forces. Each of these awards carries a monthly monetary allowance, typically between INR 2,000 to INR 8,000, as a token of appreciation for their bravery.
State Government Contributions
Many Indian states provide additional benefits to award recipients, which may include:
- One-time cash rewards for recipients or their families
- Pension benefits for families of posthumous awardees
- Educational benefits for children and dependents
- Land allotments or tax exemptions for awardees in certain states
Conclusion
The gallantry awards of India symbolize a strong tradition of honoring valor, with financial allowances provided to support awardees and their families. These allowances ensure that the acts of courage by armed forces personnel and civilians are recognized and valued.