Medals you can only earn after serving in the Military

National Awards in India are a part of the Indian Honours System. The Indian honours system is the system of awards given to individuals for a variety of services to the Republic of India. The Armed Forces of India are eligible for a myriad of military decorations.
Post-independence, first three gallantry awards namely the Param Vir Chakra, the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra were instituted by the Government of India on 26th January, 1950 which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947.

Thereafter, other three gallantry awards i.e. the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III were instituted by the Government of India on 4th January, 1952, which were deemed to have effect from the 15th August, 1947. These awards were renamed as the Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the 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.

Gallantry Awards

Wartime Gallantry Awards.

Param Vir Chakra. 
The highest decoration for valour.
awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, gallantry on the battlefield.

Mahavir Chakra.
Mahavir Chakra is the second highest decoration
awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Vir Chakra.
Vir Chakra is third in the order of awards given for an act of gallantry.

                 

Peacetime gallantry awards

• Ashoka Chakra.

An Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra.

• Kirti Chakra. 

The decoration is awarded for conspicuous gallantry.
2nd in order of peacetime gallantry awards

• Shaurya Chakra. 

The decoration is awarded for an act of gallantry.
Third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards.

                         

Wartime Distinguished Service

• Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal - 

India's highest Wartime Distinguished Service Decoration.
Awarded for the highest degree of distinguished services in an operational context. "Operation context" include times of war, conflict, or hostilities.
Wartime equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal,

• Uttam Yudh Seva Medal

India's military decorations for Wartime Distinguished Service. 

It is awarded for a high degree of distinguished services in an operational context. "Operational context" includes times of war, conflict, or hostilities. 

The award is a wartime equivalent of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, 

Uttam Yudh Seva Medal may be awarded posthumously

• Yudh Seva Medal

India's military decorations for distinguished service during wartime. 

It is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in an operational context, which includes times of war, conflict, or hostilities 

YSM may be awarded posthumously.

The award is the wartime equivalent of the Vishisht Seva Medal.

(SYSM, UYSM,YSM in order left to right)

Peacetime Distinguished Service

• Param Vishisht Seva Medal

Awarded in recognition to peace-time service of the most exceptional order All ranks of the Indian Armed Forces including Territorial Army, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces, Nursing officers and other members of the Nursing services and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces are eligible for the award.
may be awarded posthumously.

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

 Military award of India given to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the armed forces.

The award can also be granted posthumously. 

The awardee can use "AVSM" as post-nominal letters.

• Vishisht Seva Medal

Awarded to recognize "distinguished service of an exceptional order" to all ranks of the Indian Armed forces.

The award may be granted posthumously
The award carries with it the right to use "VSM" as post-nominal letters.

(PVSM, AVSM,VSM in order left to right)

Distinguished  Service 
Sena Medal
•Awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army.not in the face of the enemy."
•May be made posthumously and a bar is authorized for subsequent awards of the Sena Medal.

Nao Sena Medal

• "Awarded for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Navy."

Vayu Sena Medal

•Awarded for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Air Force

                 

Non-Gallantry Awards

• Bharat Ratna

•The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award.
•Instituted in 1954.

Ribbon

•The recipients of the Bharat Ratna receive a Sanad by President of India.
•Given for exceptional work towards the advancement of art, literature and science, and in recognition of public service of the highest order.

• The Padma Awards: 

Instituted in 1954.
Announced yearly on the Republic Day of India.

Padma Vibhushan: 
•This is given for exceptional and distinguished service in any field including service rendered by government servants.
•This is the second highest civilian award.

Padma Bhushan:

•The award is given for distinguished service of a high order in any field, including service rendered by government servants.
•This is the third highest civilian award in India.

Padma Shri:
The award is given for distinguished service in any field including service rendered by government servants.
This is the fourth highest civilian award.

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