• ‘Rat-hole mining’ heroes who had rescued the construction workers trapped in Silkyara Bend-Barkot tunnel in Uttarakhand in 2023 are among 49 people approved by President Droupadi Murmu for Jeevan Raksha Padaks.

• The awards are given in three categories — Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak, and Jeevan Raksha Padak.

• Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak has been awarded to 17 individuals including the team of 12 rat miners and five others posthumously.

• The 12-member team of rat-hole miners worked for 26 hours without break to rescue the trapped workers.

• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak has been awarded to nine people, including one  posthumously and Jeevan Raksha Padak to 23 others. 

Jeevan Raksha Padak awards

• Jeevan Raksha Padak awards are an offshoot of the Ashoka Chakra series of Gallantry awards.

• The awards were instituted in 1961.

• The award is given for a meritorious act of humane nature in saving the life of a person in cases like drowning in water, accidents, fire incidents, electrocution, natural calamities, rescue operation in mines, etc. 

It is given in three categories:

i) Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak is awarded for conspicuous courage in saving life under circumstances of very great danger to the life of the rescuer.

ii) Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak is awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of great danger to the life of the rescuer.

iii) Jeevan Raksha Padak is awarded for courage and promptitude in saving life under circumstances of grave bodily injury to the rescuer.

• People from all walks of life are eligible for these awards.

• The award can also be conferred posthumously.

• It is normal practice to invite nominations for these awards every year from all state/UT governments and ministries/departments of the government of India. The recommendations are placed before the Awards Committee for its consideration.

• The recommendations of the award are considered by the Awards Committee within a period of two calendar years from the date of performance of the act.

• The Awards Committee makes its recommendations to the Prime Minister and the President.

• The award is presented in the form of a medallion and a certificate signed by the Union Home Minister. 

• The decoration is presented by the state/UT government or the concerned ministry/department, to which the award winner belongs. 

The award winners also receive cash prize: 

• Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Rs 2 lakh

• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak - Rs 1.5 lakh

• Jeevan Raksha Padak - Rs 1 lakh.

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