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India’s Gallantry Awards: Wartime & Peacetime Order of Precedence

Reference guide to India’s wartime and peacetime gallantry decorations — Param Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

1. Wartime Gallantry Awards

Instituted on 26 January 1950 (with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947) for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy on land, at sea, or in the air:

  1. Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest wartime military decoration, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
  2. Maha Vir Chakra (MVC): The second-highest wartime gallantry award, conferred for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy.
  3. Vir Chakra (VrC): The third-highest wartime gallantry decoration for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy.

2. Peacetime Gallantry Awards

Instituted for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy (including counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, and high-risk rescue operations):

  1. Ashoka Chakra (AC): India’s highest peacetime gallantry decoration (equivalent in precedence paradigm to the Param Vir Chakra).
  2. Kirti Chakra (KC): The second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
  3. Shaurya Chakra (SC): The third-highest peacetime gallantry decoration.

3. Order of Precedence Among Gallantry Decorations

  1. Param Vir Chakra
  2. Ashoka Chakra
  3. Maha Vir Chakra
  4. Kirti Chakra
  5. Vir Chakra
  6. Shaurya Chakra