Param Vir Chakra: India's Highest Military Award Guide

Every Param Vir Chakra tells a story of unmatched courage and sacrifice. Discover its history, winners, benefits, and the heroic soldiers who gave everything for India.

What Is Param Vir Chakra? 

Param Vir Chakra: It is the Highest Military Award in India. Param Vir Chakra (India’s top wartime gallantry award) is given to those who show extraordinary bravery and courage during war or military action against the enemy. 

The term ‘Param Vir Chakra’ means the ‘Wheels Of The Ultimate Brave’. It is not just a medal but considered the most prestigious military decoration in the country. 

Why Was It Created? Post-Independence, India sought to establish its own bravery awards rather than relying on British decorations. Throughout the turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir, it became evident that India required a national award system to acknowledge exceptional courage displayed by Indian soldiers.

This is how the Param Vir Chakra, together with the Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra, was established as a component of India's military honor system.

Importance, Eligibility, & Benefits

Importance: The Param Vir Chakra holds significance as it symbolizes the utmost bravery in service to the country. It is granted solely in extraordinary circumstances, making its attainment a rare and esteemed accomplishment.

It motivates both soldiers and civilians. The honor serves as a reminder that genuine courage involves not only combat but also selfless service and sacrifice for one’s nation.

Eligibility: The Highest Military Award (Param Vir Chakra) can be awarded to officers of all ranks from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as those in reserve forces, the territorial army, and other legally established armed forces.

Along with the personnel previously mentioned, matrons, sisters, nurses, as well as the staff from nursing services and other hospital-related services, both male and female civilians, who are serving regularly or temporarily under the commands, guidance, or oversight of any of the forces mentioned above, are eligible for the Vir Chakra.

The Vir Chakra is conferred upon individuals who have demonstrated bravery in the face of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.

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Benefits & Allowances: The Param Vir Chakra is also accompanied by a monetary grant. Following the passing of the award recipient, a pension is provided to his spouse until she either passes away or remarries.

If the recipient of the award is single, the pension should be provided to his parents. They receive a stipend of 20k in addition to their usual salary. They are exempt from income tax on the sum granted to them and their pension. 

A monthly allowance of Rs 20,000 is provided to the recipient in addition to their standard salary. The pension benefits and award amount are not subject to income tax. Moreover, diverse ministries within the central government provide different financial incentives for PVC award recipients.

Who Gives The Param Vir Chakra?

The Param Vir Chakra is awarded by the President of India representing the country. The official Gazette of India announces the award.

To put it simply, the military or the government nominates an individual, and following the approval procedure, the President awards the honor.

Who Designed Param Vir Charka?

Savitri Khanolkar created the design for the Param Vir Chakra. The medal consists of bronze and features the symbol of Indra's Vajra alongside the national emblem.

The design symbolizes bravery, strength, and sacrifice. The medal's unique appearance also includes the purple ribbon that is attached to it.

Param Vir Chakra Winners List

Param Vir Chakra Winners List
Year	Recipient Name	Regiment / Force
1947	Major Somnath Sharma	Indian Army
1948	2nd Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane	Indian Army
1948	Naik Jadu Nath Singh	Indian Army
1948	Company Havildar Major Piru Singh Shekhawat	Indian Army
1948	Lance Naik Karam Singh	Indian Army
1948	Havildar Mehr Singh	Indian Army
1950	Major Dhan Singh Thapa	Indian Army
1961	Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria	Indian Army
1962	Subedar Joginder Singh	Indian Army
1962	Major Shaitan Singh	Indian Army
1965	Company Havildar Major Abdul Hamid	Indian Army
1965	Lt. Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore	Indian Army
1971	Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon	Indian Air Force
1971	Lance Naik Albert Ekka	Indian Army
1971	2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal	Indian Army
1971	Major Hoshiar Singh	Indian Army
1987	Naib Subedar Bana Singh	Indian Army
1987	Major Ramaswamy Parameshwaran	Indian Army
1999	Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey	Indian Army
1999	Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav	Indian Army
1999	Rifleman Sanjay Kumar	Indian Army
1999	Captain Vikram Batra	Indian Army

The Param Vir Chakra has been conferred a total of only 21 times, with numerous awards granted posthumously. The majority of recipients are from the Indian Army, while just one recipient hails from the Indian Air Force.

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5 Param Vir Chakra Bravery stories

1. Major Somnath Sharma - First Param Vir Chakra Recipient

Major Somnath Sharma was the first to receive the Param Vir Chakra for his courageous acts in the 1947 Indo-Pak War. Despite having his left arm in a plaster cast, he would not be left behind and commanded his troops in the Battle of Badgam, Kashmir.

Despite being outnumbered by almost 700 enemy fighters, he persisted in providing ammunition and motivated his soldiers to continue the fight. He was killed at only 24 years of age, yet his bravery contributed to safeguarding Srinagar from enemy takeover.

2. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria – The Only UN Peacekeeper to Receive PVC

Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his service in a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Congo in 1961. Even when greatly outnumbered, he spearheaded a bold assault with his Gorkha soldiers and overcame the opponent in hand-to-hand combat wielding kukris. 

Despite being mortally wounded in the mission, his courage contributed to regaining control in the region and earned him the distinction of being the sole UN peacekeeper awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

3. Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa – Defender of Srijap Post

In the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Lieutenant Colonel Dhan Singh Thapa held the Srijap Post close to Pangong Lake against a significantly larger Chinese army. 

Despite the death of the majority of his troops, he persisted in battling with immense bravery. He was ultimately taken as a war prisoner but was freed once the conflict concluded. His courageous leadership won him the Param Vir Chakra.

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4. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon – Air Force's Only PVC Recipient

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the sole Indian Air Force officer awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

In the 1971 Indo-Pak War, he launched from Srinagar Air Base amid intense enemy assaults and valiantly engaged several Pakistani fighter aircraft. He harmed enemy planes prior to his own aircraft being downed. He gave his life while protecting Indian airspace.

5. Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav – Hero of Tiger Hill

In the 1999 Kargil War, Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav offered to spearhead the attack on Tiger Hill. Despite being struck by several bullets while ascending a steep cliff, he continued to press on.

He obliterated enemy bunkers using grenades and close combat, aiding Indian troops in seizing Tiger Hill. His remarkable bravery earned him the distinction of being one of the youngest Param Vir Chakra recipients to endure the conflict.

Param Vir Chakra vs Ashoka Chakra

Param Vir Chakra vs Ashoka Chakra
Category	Param Vir Chakra	Ashoka Chakra
Type of award	Highest wartime military gallantry award	Highest peacetime gallantry award
When given	During war or military action against the enemy	During peacetime, away from direct enemy action
Bravery condition	In the presence of the enemy	Otherwise than in the face of the enemy
Who can receive it	Armed forces personnel and others serving with the armed forces in wartime	Armed forces personnel and certain other eligible persons in peacetime
Position in honour system	Highest military honour in wartime	Highest peacetime gallantry award
Example	Major Somnath Sharma, Capt. Vikram Batra	Awards for acts of bravery in peace-time emergency situations

A soldier can be awarded the Param Vir Chakra for displaying exceptional courage against the enemy in battle.

The Ashoka Chakra can be awarded to an individual who displays remarkable bravery in a rescue, anti-terror, or any perilous scenario, provided there is no direct confrontation with enemy forces.

The Param Vir Chakra is more than India's highest military honour - it is a symbol of courage, sacrifice, and patriotism. Every recipient has left behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations of Indians.

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