Context: The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented Gallantry Awards at the Defence Investiture Ceremony-2026 (Phase-I) held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Gallantry Awards:
- It recognises acts of exceptional bravery, courage and devotion to duty by the Armed Forces and security personnel.
- Ministry: The Ministry of Defence seeks recommendations twice annually from the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs for Gallantry Awards in India.
- These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.
History of Gallantry Awards:
- Three gallantry awards, namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950.
- Thereafter, the other three gallantry awards, i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted in 1952.
- These were later renamed in January 1967 as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively.
- Order of precedence: The order of precedence of these awards is the Param Vir Chakra, the Ashoka Chakra, the Mahavir Chakra, the Kirti Chakra, the Vir Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.
- These awards are divided into two main categories based on whether the act of bravery occurs in the presence of the enemy or in peacetime situations.
- Wartime Gallantry Awards: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra
- Peacetime Gallantry Awards: Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra are awarded for courageous actions during peacetime.