Indian Honours : Gallantry & Service Awards

Gallantry awards are those kinds of awards which are presented for exceptional courage, valor and dignity. In India gallantry awards are presented to the personnel’s of the forces for their exceptional bravery. 

War Time Gallantry Awards: They are given during wars or battles. These awards are given for the valor shown in the battlefield in the face of the enemy.

1. Param Veer Chakra: It is the highest war-time gallantry award, given for the uppermost height of fearlessness or forfeit during wars or battles. It was started on 26th January 1950 that is Republic Day by the Indian President. It came into result from 15th of August 1947 that is Independence Day. Awarded to officers or listed people from all categories of the Indian Armed forces.
2. Maha Veer Chakra: The Maha Veer chakra is the second highest military decoration, given to the act of braveness performed during war. It can be awarded to anyone from the services who shows exceptional act of valor in the face of enemy. The most MVCs awarded in a single conflict were in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, when eleven were given to the Indian Air Force.
3. Veer Chakra: This is also awarded for bravery in the battleground. It is third in preference after the Param Veer Chakra and Maha Veer Chakra. It is also given to anyone from the services that have performed an act of valor and sacrifice in the face of enemy. 

Peace Time Gallantry Awards: These are awarded for the courage and bravery shown away from the battlefield. These kind of awards are generally given for counter-insurgency operations.

1. Ashok Chakra: It is the highest peacetime award given for valor and bravery away from the face of the enemy. It is awarded for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valor or self-sacrifice” other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel and may be awarded posthumously. It is equivalent to the Param Veer Chakra 
2. Kirti Chakra: This is second in the order of precedence of the peacetime gallantry award. It is awarded to anyone from military or civil who has shown bravery and act of valor of a certain level away from the face of enemy. Kirti Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Veer Chakra. 
3. Shaurya Chakra: It is third in the order of precedence of the peacetime gallantry awards. It is also awarded for valor, 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 the peacetime equivalent to Veer Chakra. 

Wartime/Peacetime service and gallantry awards

1. The Sena Medal is awarded to members of the Indian army, of all ranks, "for such individual acts of exceptional devotion to duty or courage as have special significance for the Army." Awards may be made posthumously and a bar is authorized for subsequent awards of the Sena Medal.
2. Nao Sena Medal is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Navy.
3. Vayu Sena Medal is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Air Force.

Wartime Distinguished Service

1. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal is India's highest Wartime Distinguished Service decoration. It is awarded for the highest degree of distinguished services in an operational context. "Operation context" include times of war, conflict, or hostilities. Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal may be awarded posthumously.
2. Uttam Yudh Seva Medal is one of India's military decorations for Wartime Distinguished Service. It is awarded for a higher degree of distinguished services in an operational context. "Operational context". Uttam Yudh Seva Medal may be awarded posthumously.
3. The Yudh Seva Medal is one of India's military decorations for distinguished service during wartime. It is awarded for a high degree of distinguished service in an operational context. The Yudh Seva medal may be awarded posthumously.

Peacetime Distinguished Service

1. PARAM VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL : Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of the most exceptional order.
2. ATI VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL : Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of an exceptional order.
3. VISHISHT SEWA MEDAL : Awarded in recognition of distinguished service of a high order.