Gallantry Awards
Context: President Droupadi Murmu conferred six Kirti Chakras (four posthumously) to Army and J&K Police personnel for exceptional bravery, marking it as India’s second-highest peacetime gallantry honour.
Important Pointers:
Gallantry Awards Purpose: These are conferred to honour acts of bravery and self-sacrifice by defence personnel and civilians.
Wartime Gallantry Awards: These include Param Vir Chakra (highest), Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra.
Peacetime Gallantry Awards: These include Ashoka Chakra (highest), Kirti Chakra (second-highest), and Shaurya Chakra.
Eligibility: Gallantry awards can be given to armed forces, paramilitary forces, police, and civilians (including posthumously).
Recent Update (May 2025): President Droupadi Murmu conferred 6 Kirti Chakras, 4 of them posthumously, to Army and J&K Police personnel for exceptional bravery.
Significance of Kirti Chakra: Kirti Chakra is India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award, awarded for conspicuous courage away from the battlefield.
Award Announcement: Gallantry awards are announced biannually on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15).
Presentation Ceremony: Awards are presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Order of Precedence (Peacetime): Ashoka Chakra > Kirti Chakra > Shaurya Chakra
Posthumous Recognition: Gallantry awards can be conferred posthumously as a mark of supreme sacrifice.