President approves four Kirti Chakras, 11 Shaurya Chakras

• Recently, the President approved four Kirti Chakras and eleven Shaurya Chakras on the eve of the 77th Independence Day.
• The Kirti Chakra will be awarded to four personnel of the CRPF who were killed in action during an anti-Naxal operation in Chhattisgarh in April 2021.
• Eleven personnel - nine from the Army and one each from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF, will receive the Shaurya Chakra.

Gallantry Awards in India

• 26th January 1950: First three gallantry awards were instituted
  • Param Vir Chakra
  • Maha Vir Chakra
  • Vir Chakra
• 1952: Three other gallantry awards were instituted
  • Ashoka Chakra Class-I
  • Ashoka Chakra Class-II
  • Ashoka Chakra Class-III.
• January 1967: Awards were renamed as Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra
• These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year on the Republic Day and Independence Day.

Kirti Chakra

• It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
• Awarded for displaying conspicuous gallantry, indomitable courage, and extreme devotion to duty or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle.
• Eligibility: Open to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.

Shaurya Chakra

• An Indian military decoration awarded for gallantry, courageous action, or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.
• Represents the spirit of bravery, valor and devotion to duty in peacetime.
• Eligibility: Open to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.

Prelims Takeaway

• Gallantry Awards
• Kirti Chakra
• Shaurya Chakra