Kirti Chakra Award

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Kirti Chakra Award

The Kirti Chakra honors those who display exceptional courage and dedication to duty, often in life-threatening situations. It is a symbol of selflessness and bravery, inspiring others to rise to the occasion in service to the nation and humanity.

The Kirti Chakra Award is India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award, given for acts of conspicuous bravery or valor in non-combat situations. It recognizes extraordinary courage and self-sacrifice, often during peacetime or counter-terrorism operations.

Key Points Kirti Chakra Award

  1. Establishment:
    • Instituted on January 4, 1952, replacing the British-era King’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry.
    • It was originally known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II, before being renamed as the Kirti Chakra in 1967.
  2. Eligibility:
    • Open to military personnel, police forces, paramilitary forces, and civilians.
    • Awarded for bravery displayed under circumstances that may not involve direct combat but still pose significant danger.
  3. Award Details:
    • Recipients are honored with:
      • A medal.
      • A citation describing their act of bravery.
      • A monetary allowance for military or government personnel.
    • It is awarded posthumously if the recipient sacrifices their life in the act of valor.
  4. Design of the Medal:
    • The medal is a circular silver disc.
    • One side features a floral pattern with Ashoka’s Lion Capital in the center.
    • The other side bears the inscription “Kirti Chakra” in both Hindi and English.
  5. Criteria:
    • Acts of gallantry that demonstrate outstanding courage, often in counter-insurgency or anti-terrorist operations.
    • Includes bravery during natural disasters or situations involving significant personal risk to save others.
  6. Notable Recipients:
    • Captain Pawan Kumar, for exceptional bravery during counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, awarded posthumously for his courage in anti-terrorism missions.
    • Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma, recognized posthumously for his valor during the 2008 Batla House encounter in Delhi.