President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, has approved 84 gallantry awards and decorations to armed forces personnel and members of the paramilitary forces.

The awards include one Kirti Chakra, nine Shaurya Chakras, five Bar to Sena Medals (gallantry), 60 Sena Medals (gallantry), four Nao Sena Medals (gallantry) and five Vayu Sena Medals (gallantry).

The President has also approved 19 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations  for ‘Operation Meghdoot’ and ‘Operation Rakshak’.

Head constable Abdul Rashid Kalas of J&K Police has been posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra — India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Shaurya Chakra is the country’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award.

The Shaurya Chakra awardees are:

* Lieutenant Colonel Krishan Singh Rawat, First  Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces)

* Major Anil Urs, 4th Battalion, Maratha Light Infantry

* Havildar Alok Kumar Dubey, Rajput Regiment 44th battalion of the Rashtriya Rifles

* Wing Commandeer Vishak Nair

* Amit Kumar, deputy inspector-general (DIG), J&K Police 

* Mahaveer Prasad Godara (posthumous), CISF Sub-inspector

* Eranna Nayaka (posthumous), CISF head constable  

* Mahendra Kumar Paswan (posthumous), CISF constable 

* Satish Prasad Kushwaha (posthumous), CISF constable 

Gallantry awards in India

Post-Independence, first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra were instituted by the government of India on January 26, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from August 15, 1947.

Thereafter, other three gallantry awards — the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III — were instituted on January 4, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from August 15, 1947. These awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January, 1967.

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. 

Param Vir Chakra: It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Maha Vir Chakra: It is the second highest gallantry award for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Vir Chakra: It is India’s third-highest war time gallantry medal awarded for acts of bravery in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.

Ashoka Chakra: It is the highest military award during peacetime for valour, courageous action or sacrifice.

Kirti Chakra: It is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.

Shaurya Chakra: It is awarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.

Sena Medal: It is awarded for acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Army.

Nao Sena Medal: It is awarded for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Navy. 

Vayu Sena medal: It is awarded for individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage in the Air Force.