“FOUR KIRTI CHAKRAS AMONG 103 GALLANTRY AWARDS ANNOUNCED”

Why in the news?

President Droupadi Murmu approved 103 gallantry awards on the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, including four Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras. The awards honour the bravery and sacrifice of armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel, with several posthumous recognitions.

source:studyrap.com

About Gallantry Awards Announced for Armed Forces:

  • On the eve of India’s 78th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 103 gallantry awards for armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel.
  • The awards include four Kirti Chakras and 18 Shaurya Chakras, India’s second and third highest peacetime gallantry awards.
  • Three of the Kirti Chakras and four of the Shaurya Chakras will be awarded posthumously.

Kirti Chakra Recipients:

  • Colonel Manpreet Singh of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Rifleman Ravi Kumar of 63 RR, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Muzammil Bhat of Jammu & Kashmir Police will receive Kirti Chakras
  • Major Malla Ram Gopal Naidu is the sole living recipient of the Kirti Chakra this year.
  • Colonel Manpreet Singh and DSP Bhat were killed in a counter-insurgency operation in Anantnag, J&K, last year.

Shaurya Chakra and Other Awards:

  • Shaurya Chakra recipients include Colonel Pawan Singh, Major CVS Nikhil, and Major Aashish Dhonchak (posthumously), among others.
  • Additional awards include one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 63 Sena Medals (Gallantry), 11 Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry), and six Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).
  • Most awardees demonstrated exceptional bravery during counter-terror operations in Jammu & Kashmir, where terrorist activities have been on the rise, leading to daily encounters.
What are Gallantry Awards in India?

  • Instituted: First three gallantry awards—Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra—were instituted on 26th January 1950, effective from 15th August 1947.
  • Additional Awards: Three more awards—Ashoka Chakra Class-I, II, III—were instituted in 1952, also effective from 15th August 1947.
  • Renamed: In January 1967, these awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.
  • Order of Precedence: Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.

Purpose and Announcement:

  • Instituted by the Government of India to honour acts of bravery and sacrifice by Armed Forces personnel, lawfully constituted forces, and civilians.
  • Awards are announced twice a year on Republic Day and Independence Day.

Types of Gallantry Awards:

Gallantry in the Face of the Enemy:

  • Param Vir Chakra (PVC)
  • Mahavir Chakra (MVC)
  • Vir Chakra

Gallantry Other than in the Face of the Enemy (Peacetime):

  • Ashok Chakra
  • Kirti Chakra
  • Shaurya Chakra

About The Ashoka Chakra, The Kirti Chakra & Shaurya Chakra:

Eligibility:

  • Armed Forces: Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including Reserve Forces, Territorial Army, Militia, and other lawfully constituted forces.
  • Nursing Services: Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces.
  • Civilians: Civilian citizens of both sexes in all walks of life.
  • Police Forces: Members of Police Forces, including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.

Conditions of Eligibility:

Ashoka Chakra:

  • Awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, an act of daring, or a pre-eminent act of valor or self-sacrifice, otherwise than in the face of the enemy.

Kirti Chakra:

  • Awarded for conspicuous gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy.

Shaurya Chakra:

  • Awarded for gallantry, otherwise than in the face of the enemy.