Gallantry Awards:

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday conferred six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumously, to personnel of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police for displaying indomitable courage and extraordinary valour in the line of duty.

Gallantry Awards:

• After Independence, India instituted its first three wartime gallantry awards on 26 January 1950, effective retrospectively from 15 August 1947: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.
• In 1952, India introduced three peacetime gallantry awards called Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Class-II, and Class-III, also effective from 15 August 1947.
• In January 1967, the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II, and III awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively.
• The official order of precedence for Indian gallantry awards is: Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
• These gallantry awards recognize acts of valor and bravery during wartime and peacetime, with the Param Vir Chakra and Ashoka Chakra being the highest wartime and peacetime honors, respectively.
• The Gallantry awards are announced twice annually: on Republic Day (26 January) and Independence Day (15 August).
• The awards serve to honor military personnel as well as civilians who display extraordinary courage in the face of danger.

Types of Gallantry award:

• Param Vir Chakra (PVC): It is highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valor, courage, or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy during war or conflict. It is established on 26th January 1950.
• Ashoka Chakra (AC): It is highest peacetime gallantry award given for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield (including counter-insurgency operations). It is instituted in 1952 as Ashoka Chakra Class-I, renamed in 1967.
• Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): It is second highest wartime gallantry award, recognizing acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. It is established alongside PVC in 1950.
• Kirti Chakra (KC): It is second highest peacetime gallantry award awarded for acts of valor, courage, or self-sacrifice other than in the face of the enemy. It is originally Ashoka Chakra Class-II, renamed in 1967.
• Vir Chakra (VrC): It is yhird highest wartime gallantry award for acts of bravery in the battlefield. It is instituted in 1950.
• Shaurya Chakra (SC): It is third highest peacetime gallantry award awarded for gallantry other than in the face of the enemy. It is originally Ashoka Chakra Class-III, renamed in 1967.