Param Vir Chakra (PVC)

Source: TH

Subject: Miscellaneous

Context: On Vijay Diwas 2025, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the ‘Param Vir Dirgha’ at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees were displayed.

• This replaced portraits of British Aide-de-Camps, symbolising India’s continued effort to shed colonial legacies.

About Param Vir Chakra (PVC):

• What it is? The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military gallantry award, conferred for the most conspicuous bravery, valour, and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy during wartime.

• The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military gallantry award, conferred for the most conspicuous bravery, valour, and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy during wartime.

• Instituted in: 26 January 1950, coinciding with the enforcement of the Constitution of India.

• Key features:

• Open to personnel of all ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Army and other lawfully constituted armed forces. Can be awarded posthumously; the majority of recipients have received it after martyrdom. Comes with a monthly honorarium of ₹3,000, with an additional ₹3,000 for each bar awarded.

• Open to personnel of all ranks of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Territorial Army and other lawfully constituted armed forces.

• Can be awarded posthumously; the majority of recipients have received it after martyrdom.

• Comes with a monthly honorarium of ₹3,000, with an additional ₹3,000 for each bar awarded.

• Criteria for award:

• Awarded only in wartime. Recognises exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy.

• Awarded only in wartime.

• Recognises exceptional courage, indomitable spirit, and self-sacrifice in the face of the enemy.

• Winners so far:

• 21 awardees till date. 14 awarded posthumously. Conferred across four major wars fought by India.

• 21 awardees till date.

• 14 awarded posthumously.

• Conferred across four major wars fought by India.

About Aide-de-Camps (ADCs):

• An Aide-de-Camp is a personal military officer attached to high constitutional authorities such as the President, Governors, or Chiefs of Services.

• Rank and background:

• Typically, a Major (Army), Lieutenant Commander (Navy), or Squadron Leader (Air Force).

• Key functions:

• Managing the daily schedule and official engagements of the dignitary. Coordinating ceremonial duties, state visits, and protocol events. Acting as a liaison between Rashtrapati Bhavan and civil or military authorities. Assisting in protocol, coordination, and security arrangements.

• Managing the daily schedule and official engagements of the dignitary.

• Coordinating ceremonial duties, state visits, and protocol events.

• Acting as a liaison between Rashtrapati Bhavan and civil or military authorities.

• Assisting in protocol, coordination, and security arrangements.