Param Vir Chakra
The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India‘s highest military decoration, awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime.[5][6] Param Vir Chakra translates as the “Greatest of the Ultimate Brave”, and the award is granted for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy”. The medal of the PVC was designed by Savitri Khanolkar, whose daughter’s brother-in-law, Major Somnath Sharma, was coincidentally awarded the first PVC. As of January 2018, the medal has been awarded 21 times, of which 14 were posthumous and 16 arose from actions in Indo-Pakistani conflicts. Of the 21 awardees, 20 have been from the Indian Army, and one has been from the Indian Air Force. A number of central and state governments and ministries of India provide allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC (or their family members in case of the recipient’s death). Only 21 military personnel have received this award to date.[7][8]
Ser No | Name of Awardees with rank | Corps/Regiment | Conflict | Date of Action | Place of action |
1. | Maj Somnath Sharma | The Kumaon Regiment | Battle of Badgam | 03 Nov 1947 | Badgam, J&K |
2. | Nk Jadunath Singh | The Rajput Regiment | Indo-PAK War-1947 | 06 Feb 1948 | Nausera, J&K |
3. | 2nd Lt Rama Raghoba Rane | Bombey Shappers | Indo-PAK War-1947 | 08 Apr 1948 | Nausera, J&K |
4. | CHM Piru Singh | Rajputana Rifles | Indo-PAK War-1947 | 17 Jul 1948 | Tithwal, J&K |
5. | Lance Naik Karam Singh | The Sikh Regiment | Indo-PAK War-1947 | 13 Oct 1948 | Tithwal, J&K |
6. | Capt Gurbachan Singh Salaria | 1 Gorkha Rifles | Congo Crisis | 05 Dec 1961 | Congo |
7. | Maj Dhan Singh Thapa | 8 Gorkha Rifles | Sino-India War | 20 Oct 1962 | Ladakh, J&K |
8. | Sub Joginder Singh | The Sikh Regiment | Sino-India War | 23 Oct 1962 | Tongpen La NEFA |
9. | Maj Shaitan Singh | The Kumaon Regiment | Sino-India War | 18 Nov 1962 | Rezang La, J&K |
10. | CHM Abdul Hamid | The Grenadiers | Battle of Asal Uttar | 10 Sep 1965 | Khemkaran, J&K |
11. | Lt Col Ardeshir Tarapore | Poona Horse | Battle of Chawinda | 11 Sep 1965 | Phillora, Sialkot, J&K |
12. | L Nk Albert Ekka | Brigade of the Guards | Battle of Hilli | 03 Dec 1971 | Sangasagar, Agartala |
13. | Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | No 8 Squadron | Indio-Pakisthan War 1971 | 14 Dec 1971 | Srinagar, J&K |
14. | 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal | Poona Horse | Battle of Basantsar | 16 Dec 1971 | Sakargarh,J&K |
15. | Maj Hoshiyar Singh | The Grenadiers | Battle of Basantsar | 17 Dec 1971 | Sakargarh, J&K |
16. | Nb Sub Bana Singh | Jammu and Kashmir Rifles | Operation Rajiv | 23 May 1987 | Siachen Glacier |
17. | Maj Ramaswamy Parameshwarn | The Mahar Regiment | Operation Pawan | 25 Nov 1987 | Sri Lanka |
18. | Lt Manoj Kumar Pandey | 11 Gorkha Rifles | Operation Vijay | 03 Jul 1999 | Khaluber/Juber Top, J&K |
19. | GNR Yogendra Singh Yadav | The Grenadiers | Operation Vijay | 04 Jul 1999 | Tiger Hill, J&K |
20. | Rifleman Sanjay Kumar | Jammu & Kashmir Rifles | Operation Vijay | 05 Jul 1999 | Kargil, J&K |
21. | Capt Vikram Batra | Jammu &Kashmir Rifles | Operation Vijay | 05 Jul 1999 | Kargil, J&K |