Gallantry Awards
1. Param Vir Chakra: The highest award for bravery or some daring and pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.
2. Mahavir Chakra: It is the second highest decoration and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.
3. Vir Chakra: It is the third in order of awards given for acts of gallantry in the presence of enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.
4. Ashok Chakra: This medal is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice on land, at sea or in the air but not in the presence of enemy.
5. Vishishta Sewa Medal: It is awarded to personnel of all the three Services in class I, II and III in recognition of distinguished service of the “most exceptional” and “exceptional” and a “high” order respectively. Prefixes Parma and Ati are added before first two categories of medals respectively.
6. Jeewan Raksha Padak: Awarded for meritorious acts or a series of acts of a human nature displayed in saving life from drowning, fire and rescue operations in mines etc.
