GALLANTRY AWARDS

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Context: As many as 107 gallantry awards to the armed forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were approved by President Droupadi Murmu to mark Independence Day, which includes three Kirti Chakras and 13 Shaurya Chakras, a statement by the Ministry of Defence said.

What are the 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 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from 15th August, 1947.
• Thereafter, other three gallantry awards — the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III — were instituted in 1952, which were deemed to have effect from 15th August, 1947.
• These awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra respectively in January 1967.
• 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.
• Param Vir Chakra: It is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valor 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 the country's third-highest wartime gallantry award after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.
• Ashoka Chakra: It is the highest military award during peacetime for valor, courageous action or sacrifice.
• Kirti Chakra: It is the second highest peacetime gallantry award and is awarded for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle.
• Shaurya Chakra: It is awarded to the personnel of the armed forces for instances of extraordinary gallantry.

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