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Shaurya Chakra

The Shaurya Chakra (lit. 'Wheel of Gallantry') is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, sometimes posthumously. It is third in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards and comes after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra. It precedes the Yudh Seva Medal.

Shaurya Chakra


Shaurya Chakra and its ribbon, the third highest peacetime decoration of India
TypeMedal
Awarded forAwarded for gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.[1]
CountryIndia Republic of India
Presented byIndia Republic of India
Eligibility
  • Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces.
  • Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces.
  • Civilian Citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway protection Force.[1]
Post-nominalsSC
StatusCurrently Awarded
Established1952; 72 years ago (1952)
First awarded1952
Last awarded2021
Total awarded posthumously627
Total recipients2122 (As of 2023)[2]
Precedence
Next (higher) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal[3]
Equivalent Vir Chakra[3]
Next (lower) Yudh Seva Medal[3]

History

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Established as the "Ashoka Chakra, Class III" by the President of India, 4 January 1952 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were revised and the decoration renamed on 27 January 1967. Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class III. Subsequent awards of the Shaurya Chakra are recognized by a bar to the medal ribbon (to date five have been awarded). It is possible for a recipient to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra or Kirti Chakra in addition for separate acts of gallantry.

Since July 1999, it also being given to Civilians of either gender in all walks of life, other than members of Police Forces and of recognized Fire Services.[4] From 1 February 1999, the central government set a monthly stipend of Rs. 750 for recipients of the award. Jammu and Kashmir awards a cash award of Rs. 700 (ca. 1960) for recipients of the Shaurya Chakra.

Design

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Medal: Circular bronze, 1-3/8 inches in diameter. In the centre, the Ashoka Chakra, surrounded by a lotus wreath and with an ornate edge. Suspended by a straight bar suspender. The medal is named on the edge.

Reverse: For pre-1967 awards, the medal is blank in the centre, with "Ashoka Chakra" in Hindi along the upper edge on the medal and the same name in English along the lower rim, "ASHOKA CHAKRA". On either side is a lotus design. The centre is blank, perhaps with the intent that details of the award be engraved there. There is no indication of the class on the pre-1967 awards. For the post-1967 awards, the, names are changed to "Shauryua Chakra" in Hindi above and "SHAURYA CHAKRA" below.

Ribbon: Green colour ribbon divided into four equal parts by three orange vertical lines.

Bar: If a recipient of the Chakra shall again perform such an act of gallantry as would have made him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of gallantry shall be recognised by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the Chakra is suspended and, for every subsequent act of gallantry, an additional Bar shall be added and such Bar or Bars may also be awarded posthumously. For every such Bar, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

Eligibility

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It is the peacetime equivalent of the Vir Chakra. It is generally awarded for Counter-Insurgency operations and actions against the enemy during peace-time.

Following categories of persons are eligible for the Shaurya Chakra:

  • Officers and men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces.
  • Nursing officers of military nursing service .
  • Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.

Recipients

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List of Shaurya Chakra award recipients (2020–2029)

Year Rank Name Regiment Notes
1952 Major P.S. Gahoon Punjab Regiment
Second Lieutenant M Thulasiram The Corps of Engineers
Subedar Kartar Singh, MC Punjab Regiment
Jemadar Samandar Singh GRS
Lance Naik Milkha Singh Punjab Regiment
Lance Naik Bishan Singh Punjab Regiment
Sepoy Shankar Dass Punjab Regiment
Lieutenant Colonel R.A Shebbeare The Grenadiers
Major S.L. Menezes The Grenadiers
Major A.T. Stephenson Garhwal Rifles
Subedar Major Dhan Singh Artillery
Havildar Naranjan Singh Sikh Regiment
Lance Daffadar Sultan Singh Poona Horse
Rifleman Bakhtawar Singh Bhandari Garhwal Rifles
Sepoy Harchand Singh Sikh Regiment
Sepoy Richhpal Singh The Grenadiers
Niak Jograj Singh Jammu and Kashmir Rifles
Sepoy Ram Singh Para, Kumaon
Rifleman Til Bahadur Gurung Assam Rifles
1953 Subedar Tek Bahadur Sahi 9th Gorkha Rifles
1953 Sepoy Thakur Singh Indian Army Service Corps
1953 Shri Baboo Lal Indian Civilian
1954 Srimati Lalita Mukand Indian Civilian
1955 Jemadar Kulbir Thapa 8 Gorkha Rifles
1955 Rifleman Ganesh Bahadur Tamang 5 Gorkha Rifles
1956 Shri Akshya Kumar Singh Civilian
1957 Naik Sugriv Singh Rajput Regiment
1963 Second Lieutenant Dharam Datt Bhalla Rajput Regiment Shaurya Chakra was awarded in Investiture Ceremony that took place on 18 April 1963 for an action that took place on 26 October 1961 when as commander of a small petrol of 3 ORs was given a task to carry out reconnaissance of route from the patrol base at Jaura Dhok to Chinamarg Gali and beyond in high altitude snow covered mountains of Pir Panjal Range.

After the patrol covered approximately 4 miles it was fired upon by Pakistani infiltrators of much larger strength. In the encounter some infiltrators were killed others ran away leaving some of their arms and ammunition.

Thus the infiltrators failed in their mission of blowing up Kalai Bridge on Rajauri- Poonch road.

The Indian Government honored 2LT Dharam Datt Bhalla's bravery with the prestigious Shaurya Chakra award

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1973 Grenadier Ran Singh Grenadiers
1975 Assistant Engineer (Civil) Kehar Singh Chima Border Roads Organisation
1975 Inspector Vihoi Sema Border Security Force
1975 Major Badal Ghosh Rajput Regiment
1976 Second Lieutenant Akoijam Dinamani Singh* Sikh Light Infantry
1980 Sepoy Manjit Singh* Punjab Regiment
1981 Flight Lieutenant Sumit Mukherjee Indian Air Force
1982 Flight Lieutenant S L Thantry Indian Air Force [6]>
1984 Lieutenant Commander Kulwant Singh Samra Indian Navy
1986 Colonel R K Bansal Army Postal Service Corps [7]>
1987 Captain Virinder Singh Grewal Dogra Regiment
1990 Squadron Leader Sanjeev Mishra Indian Air Force
1992 Captain Kishore Geer Bava Border Roads Organisation
1999 Naik Urba Datt 3 Kumaon Regiment On the day of February 23, 1998, a specific intelligence was received that some terrorists are hiding in the Saloor village of Srinagar with an intention to plot explosives on the way of the convoy of VIPs passing through that route. On the same night around 2100h, Sofi Mohalla of that village was cordoned by the army. The next day at 1100h in the morning while searching the last house of the locality Naik Urba Datt noticed some suspicious movement in the heap of hay on the rooftop. He immediately fired however the terrorists jumped off the rooftop into the Nala and ran towards the jungle of Nambal. To this, Naik Urba Dutt too jumped on the Nala and chased the terrorists with a daunting spirit. Despite being severely injured, he gunned down one militant and wounded another militant who succumbed to his injuries later on. This brave soldier also succumbed to his injuries and got martyred. Naik Urba Datt displayed indomitable courage and exemplary valor and laid down his supreme sacrifice on the line of duty for the nation.
Jemadar Kulbir Thapa 8 Gorkha Rifles
Rifleman Ganesh Bahadur Jamang 5 Gorkha Rifles
Havildar S.S. Bhardwaj Army Ordnance Corps
Scout Chatra Ram Border Scouts
Scout Tara Chand Border Scouts
Scout Saudagar Singh Border Scouts
Captain G.S. Grewal Bihar Regiment
Subedar Khem Chand The Grenadiers
Subedar Megh Singh Dogra Regiment
Jemadar Rabe Gurung 4 Gorkha Rifles
Havildar Tek Bahadur Gurung 4 Gorkha Rifles
Lance Havildar Balwant Singh Sikh Regiment
Naik Raghunath Dange Parachute Regiment
Sepoy Hans Raj Punjab Regiment
Second Lieutenant Ram Labhaya Jat Regiment
Sepoy Narbir Singh Rajput Regiment
Sepoy Shanker Hembrom Bihar Regiment
Havildar Murli Ram GRS
Sepoy Ganak Singh Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry
Subedar Mohar Singh Sikh Regiment
Jemadar Mohinder Singh Sikh Regiment
Jemadar Tek Bahadur Gurung 8 Gorkha Rifles
Naik Sugam Singh Rajput Regiment
Naik Padam Singh Gurung 8 Gorkha Rifles
Sepoy Mewa Singh Sikh Regiment
Sepoy Ranjit Singh Sikh Regiment
Lance Naik Ganga Prasad Thapa Assam Rifles
Rifleman Puran Bahadur Rana Assam Rifles
Rifleman Gogeshwar Kumar Assam Rifles
Second Lieutenant J.K. Grover Signals
Second Lieutenant V.R. Dani 8 Gorkha Rifles
Jemadar Dalip Singh Sikh Regiment
2001 Lance Naik Chhering Norbu Bodh Dogra Regiment

CN Bodh's Shaurya Chakra citation:[8] "Lance Naik Chhering Norbu Bodh was selected as a member of the Indian Army Everest Expedition 2001. On 23 May 2001, he was part of the second summit team attempting to summit Everest, after having spent two nights at camp – III (26000 ft). However, blizzards forced them to turn back from 27,000ft. Though exhausted by the effort, he refused to accept defeat. On 23 May 2001, at 2200 hours, he commenced his attempt. Re-entering the Death Zone on Everest above 26,000ft at night required every ounce of physical and mental strength apart from conspicuous courage. He soon started losing strength due to cold, strong winds, poor snow conditions and lack of oxygen. But he continued doggedly and at the same time kept encouraging his team-mates. At Hillary Step he was thoroughly exhausted but in a superhuman effort, he marshalled his remaining energy and clawed his way up the dangerous precipice of rock covered with verglas. His mind fought against loss of energy, numbness in fingers and toes and lack of oxygen but he made it through the step. Then with very little left in him except his mental strength and determination, he willed his body to move. Through this great effort he kept helping and encouraging his team-mates. He finally reached the summit to bring glory to the team and the Army. Lance Naik Chhering Norbu Bodh displayed undaunted determination and conspicuous courage in the face of extreme elements."

2002 Havildar Radhakrishan Kunju Panicker* Madras Regiment
2003 Captain Umang Bharadwaj* Jat Regiment
2007 Major Rajinder Kumar Sharma 32 Assam Rifles
2007 Superintendent of Police Pankaj Sharma Assam Police
2007 Captain Kaushal Kashyap 21 Para (Special Forces)
2008 Assistant sub-inspector Tukaram Omble Mumbai Police
2009 Rifleman Mohammad Abdul Amieen Bhat* Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry
2011 Naik Vijay Pal Jat Regiment
2014 Sepoy Vikram Singh SC The Rajput Regiment, 44RR, Kashmir insurgency.
2016 Captain Pawan Kumar 10 PARA SF
2016 Lieutenant Harjinder Singh 3 Kumaon Rifles (General Service)
2016 Captain Tushar Mahajan 9 PARA SF
2018 Major Satish Dahiya Army Services Corps
2018 Captain Pradeep Shaurya Arya Parachute Regiment(TA)
2018 Major Aditya Kumar 10 Garhwal Rifles
2018 Major Abhinav Shukla PARA SF
19 March 2019 Pawan Kumar 34 RR Jat Regiment Major Pawan Kumar displayed astute tactical acumen, indomitable spirit and raw courage which led to elimination of a hardcore terrorist in September 2017. A top terrorist and the longest surviving terrorist of the valley whilst infiltrating back from Pakistan Occupied Kashmir by taking cover of darkness, thick foliage, boulders and folds of the ground was effectively engaging own troops with deadly fire. The dreaded terrorist could have been engaged only with accurate indirect fire. Major Pawan realising the gravity of situation and danger to safety of own troops, undaunted by heavy volumes of fire, displaying raw courage, used folds of the ground to crawl towards the terrorist and closed in the distance. He lobbed a grenade at the terrorist forcing him to expose himself and in a fierce encounter shot him dead from a close quarter. His elimination not only saved lives of own troops but also prevented revival of terrorism in the valley. Major Pawan Kumar displayed perseverance, dedication to duty, unmatched bravery and raw courage in elimination of a hardcore terrorist.[9][10][11]
2019 Shri Irfan Ramzan Sheikh Civilian
2020 Wing commander Varun Singh Indian Air Force
2021 Captain Ashutosh Kumar 18 Madras NDA 132
2021 Lt Col Krishan Singh Rawat 1 Para SF
2021 Special Police Officer Shahbaz Ahmad Jammu Kashmir Police

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". Indianarmy.gov.in. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Awardees | Gallantry Awards". gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  3. ^ a b c "Precedence Of Medals". indianarmy.nic.in/. Indian Army. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  4. ^ "LIST OF PERSONNEL BEING CONFERRED GALLANTRY AWARDS ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2018". Indian Army.
  5. ^ "LIST OF SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDEES".
  6. ^ "LIST OF SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDEES".
  7. ^ "LIST OF SHAURYA CHAKRA AWARDEES".
  8. ^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  9. ^ https://www.indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=k5lhod0jTESAjpBHTcchHg==&ParentID=x1UHqJ2E5fTRe7COlnraPw==&flag=D3rRdeA74x88FLBhIxAcFw== [bare URL]
  10. ^ "President Ram Nath Kovind presents Shaurya Chakra to Major Pawan Kumar, Jat Regiment, 34th Battalion, Rashtriya Rifles". 19 March 2019.
  11. ^ "आतंकियों से लोहा लेने वाले मेजर पवन कुमार को मिला सेना का बड़ा सम्मान | Major Pawan Kumar got the Shaurya Chakra Award". 24 August 2018.
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