Vir Chakra: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian wartime military bravery award}}
{{Redirect|VrC}}
{{Redirect|VrC}}
{{Infobox military award
{{Infobox award
| name             = Vir Chakra
| name = Vir Chakra
| image           = [[File:Vir-chakra.png|300px|Vir Chakra]]<br /><br />[[File:Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|150px]]  
| image = [[File:Vir-chakra.png|300px|Vir Chakra]]<br /><br />[[File:Vir Chakra ribbon bar.svg|150px]]
|caption= Vir Chakra and its ribbon, the third highest military decoration of India
| caption = Vir Chakra and its ribbon, the third highest military decoration of India
| presenter       = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| presenter = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| country         = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| country = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| type             = [[Medal]]
| type = [[Medal]]
| eligibility     = Military Personnel Only
| eligibility = Military Personnel Only
| awarded_for             = Acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.  
| awarded_for = Acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.
| campaign         =  
| campaign =  
| status           = Currently Awarded
| status = Currently Awarded
| description     =  
| description =  
| motto           =  
| motto =  
| clasps           =  
| clasps =  
| post-nominals   = VrC
| post-nominals = VrC
| established     =  
| established =  
| firstawarded     = 1947
| firstawarded = 1947
| lastawarded       = 2021
| lastawarded = 15th August, 2025
| total_awarded           =  
| total_awarded =  
| total_awarded_posthumously       =361
| total_awarded_posthumously = 362
| total_recipients       =1322 <small>(As of 2017)</small><ref>http://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardees-0</ref>  
| total_recipients = 1335 {{small|(As of 2023)}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardees-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111331/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardees-0 |archive-date=2017-08-16 |title=Awardees |publisher=Gallantry Awards}}</ref>
| precedence_label =
| precedence_label =  
| individual       =  
| individual =  
| higher           = [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref name=precedence>{{cite web|title=Precedence Of Medals|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=zCQHR1MODtMw0EJ0MUc5CA==&ParentID=XRRy6fl/Yj1c0bK0sve+Pg==|work=indianarmy.nic.in/|publisher=Indian Army|access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref>
| higher = [[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref name=precedence>{{cite web|title=Precedence Of Medals|url=http://indianarmy.nic.in/Site/FormTemplete/frmTempSimple.aspx?MnId=zCQHR1MODtMw0EJ0MUc5CA==&ParentID=XRRy6fl/Yj1c0bK0sve+Pg==|work=indianarmy.nic.in/|publisher=Indian Army|access-date=9 September 2014}}</ref>
| same             = [[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Shaurya Chakra]]<ref name=precedence/>
| same = [[File:Shaurya Chakra ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Shaurya Chakra]]{{efn|Though the [[Shaurya Chakra]] is placed below the Vir Chakra in the precedence, it is considered as a peacetime equivalent of Vir Chakra.}}<ref name=precedence/>
| lower           = [[File:Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Yudh Seva Medal]]<ref name=precedence/>
| lower = [[File:Yudh Seva Medal ribbon.svg|x15px]] [[Yudh Seva Medal]]<ref name=precedence/>
| related         =
| related =  
| image2           =  
| image2 =  
| caption2         =  
| caption2 =  
}}
}}
'''Vir Chakra''' is an [[India]]n wartime military bravery award presented for acts of conspicuous gallantry<ref>{{cite news |title=Vir Chakra: India’s Third Highest Gallantry Award |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/vir-chakra-indias-third-highest-gallantry-award-1548936356-1}}</ref> in the presence of the enemy on the [[battlefield]] and is third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards and comes after the [[Param Vir Chakra]] and [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref>http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Awards/awavrc.htm</ref>
The '''Vir Chakra''' (pronunciation: [[Voiced labiodental approximant|ʋ]][[Close front unrounded vowel|iː]][[Alveolar tap|ɾ]][[Open central unrounded vowel|a]] [[Voiceless postalveolar affricate|tʃ]][[Open central unrounded vowel|a]][[Voiceless velar plosive|kɾa]], {{lit|Wheel of Bravery}}) is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on land or in the air or at sea.<ref name=TDA>{{cite web |title=TDA - The Defence Aspirant Academy |url=https://www.tdaacademy.in/blog/post/eyJpdiI6Ik54R3dzZ2R1RFhZTUgxT3duM2hCd2c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiaW5HbHFTM2drTnBPKy9nR2hlemk4dz09IiwibWFjIjoiNWRmZTg5OWMzZmJhN2JmMDJkYWNiNzUyNzc2ZmEyOGQ3NjQwYjc3MzY4OGY3Y2EyMjcyMzc1M2QzOWNkMTRkOCIsInRhZyI6IiJ9 |website=tdaacademy.in |access-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229110458/https://www.tdaacademy.in/blog/post/eyJpdiI6Ik54R3dzZ2R1RFhZTUgxT3duM2hCd2c9PSIsInZhbHVlIjoiaW5HbHFTM2drTnBPKy9nR2hlemk4dz09IiwibWFjIjoiNWRmZTg5OWMzZmJhN2JmMDJkYWNiNzUyNzc2ZmEyOGQ3NjQwYjc3MzY4OGY3Y2EyMjcyMzc1M2QzOWNkMTRkOCIsInRhZyI6IiJ9 |archive-date=29 December 2022}}</ref>
 
It is third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards and comes after the [[Param Vir Chakra]] and [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Awards/awavrc.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021205055532/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Awards/awavrc.htm |archive-date=2002-12-05 |title=Vir Chakra}}</ref> sub=sardul singh =vir chakra}}</1948


==Origin==
==Origin==
It was established by the President of India on 26 January 1950 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were amended on 12 January 1952 to readjust the order of wearing as new decorations were established.<ref>{{cite news |title=Vir Chakra: India’s Third Highest Gallantry Award |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/vir-chakra-indias-third-highest-gallantry-award-1548936356-1}}</ref>
It was established by the President of India on 26 January 1950 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were amended on 12 January 1952 to readjust the order of wearing as new decorations were established.<ref name="jagranjosh.com">{{cite news |title=Vir Chakra: India's Third Highest Gallantry Award |url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/vir-chakra-indias-third-highest-gallantry-award-1548936356-1}}</ref>


It replaced the British [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (DSC), [[Military Cross]] (MC) and [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (DFC). Award of the decoration carries with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation (note the care to distinguish this abbreviation from that for the [[Victoria Cross]] (V.C.).
It replaced the British [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]] (DSC), [[Military Cross]] (MC) and [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (DFC). Award of the decoration carries with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation [note the care to distinguish this abbreviation from that for the [[Victoria Cross]] (V.C.)


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
The medal is 1-3/8&nbsp;inch circular silver medal. A five pointed star, with the [[chakra]] in the center, and, on this, the domed gilded state emblem. The decoration is named on the rim and suspended from a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The decoration is almost always named and dated on the edge. Around a plain center, two legends separated by lotus flowers; above Vir Chakra in [[Hindi]] and in [[English language|English]]. The ribbon is 32&nbsp;mm, half dark blue and half orange-saffron. Dark blue 16&nbsp;mm, saffron 16&nbsp;mm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE3-6/sandhu.html |title=Bharat Raksahk Monitor: Volume 3(6) |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=2013-07-10}}</ref>
The medal is {{frac|1|3|8}}inch circular silver medal.<ref>[https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/assets/uploads/guidelines/rules-and-regulation-2020-10-141.pdf "Statutes and rules relating to the awards of the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Air Chakra"]. 1 January 1970 (amendment of 1950 version).</ref> A five pointed star, with the [[chakra]] in the centre, and, on this, the domed gilded [[State Emblem of India|state emblem]]. The decoration is named on the rim and suspended from a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The decoration is almost always named and dated on the edge. Around a plain centre, two legends are separated by lotus flowers; with Vir Chakra in [[Hindi]] above and in [[English language|English]] below. The ribbon is 32&nbsp;mm, half dark blue and half orange-saffron; dark blue 16&nbsp;mm, saffron 16&nbsp;mm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE3-6/sandhu.html |title=Bharat Raksahk Monitor: Volume 3(6) |publisher=Bharat-rakshak.com |access-date=2013-07-10 |archive-date=2013-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527165528/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/MONITOR/ISSUE3-6/sandhu.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


The award carries with it a cash allowance and, in some cases, a lump sum cash award. This has been a rather controversial issue throughout the life of the decoration. From 1 February 1999, the central government set a monthly stipend of Rs. 850 for recipients of the award. In addition, many states have established individual pension rewards for the recipients of the decoration.
The award carries with it a cash allowance and, in some cases, a lump sum cash award. This has been a rather controversial issue throughout the life of the decoration. From 1 February 1999, the central government set a monthly stipend of Rs. 850 for recipients of the award. In addition, many states have established individual pension rewards for the recipients of the decoration.


==List of Vir Chakra recipients ==
==List of Vir Chakra recipients==
A total of 1327 personnel received Vir Chakra. Some of the notable Vir Chakra awardees include:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awards |title= Awardees |access-date=12 January 2023 |publisher=MoD, GOI}}</ref>


A total of 1322 personals received Vir Chakra. Some of the notable Vir Chakra awardees include:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/Awards/awards.php?qaward=VrC |title= Vir Chakra Awardee List |access-date=27 June 2014 |publisher=Bharat Rakshak}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Key
|-
|align=center style="width:50px;background-color:#e3d9ff;"|†
|Indicates posthumous honour
|}


[[List of Vir Chakra award recipients (2010–2019)]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
[[List of Vir Chakra award recipients (2020–2029)]]
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Rank !! Recipient !! Service !! Date !!  
!Rank !! Recipient !! Service !! Date !!  
|-
|-
|Captain
| [[Lieutenant]]
|TGN Pai
| [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1217 TGN Pai]
| [[Indian Army]]
| 1950
| 1947 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major TGN Pai |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1217}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jemadar]]
| Kanikasami
| [[Indian Army]]
| 1947
| 1947 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jemadar Kanikasami |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1290}}</ref>
|-
|[[Major (India)|Major]]
|HS Bains
|[[Indian Army]]
|[[Indian Army]]
|26 January 1950
|1948
|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|Kashmir War]]
|1948 [[Operation Polo]]<ref name=":2" />
|-
|-
| Late Lt Col
| [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| [[Vikram Deuskar]]
| [[Harbaksh Singh]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| 16 Dec 1971
| 1 May 1948
| [[1971 Cactus Lily]]
| 1948 [[Operation Polo]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Brigadier Harbaksh Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1615}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lieutenant Colonel]]
| Girdhari Singh
| [[Indian Army]]
| 26 February 1948
| 1947 [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://honourpoint.in/profile/lt-col-girdhari-singh-vrc-mc-bar/ | title=Lt Col Girdhari Sing VRC, MC ( Bar) }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/girdhari-singh-mc | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720125007/http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/girdhari-singh-mc | archive-date=20 July 2019 | title=GIRDHARI SINGH, MC &#124; Gallantry Awards }}</ref>
 
|-
|Subedar Major and Honorary Captain
|[[Bhim Chand (soldier)|Bhim Chand]]
|[[Indian Army]]
|23 August 1948 and 27 December 1948 (2)
|1947 [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Subedar Major and Hony Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/assets/uploads/styles/awardee_img/public/sites/default/files/VrC_SubBhimChand_230213_SG_compressed-2023-02-23-0303-0202.pdf |website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Subedar Major and Honorary Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND Vir Chakra |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4254 |website=gallantryawards.gov.in}}</ref>
|-
| [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]]
| [[Ranjan Dutt]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 26 Jan 1950
| 1947 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4392}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Major
| [[Major (rank)|Major]]
| [[Tirath Singh Oberoi]]
| [[Tirath Singh Oberoi]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| 26 January, 1950
| 26 Jan 1950
| [[Kashmir War]]
| 1947 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major Tirath Singh Oberoi |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://twdi.in/awardees?name=Tirath+Singh+Oberoi |website=twdi.in}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Brigadier
| [[Major General]]
| [[Harbaksh Singh]]
| Ashwani Kumar Diwan
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]]
| 1 May 1948
| 18 Nov 1962
| [[Indian annexation of Hyderabad|1948 Operation Polo]]
| 1962 [[Sino-Indian War]]
|-
|-
| Wg Cdr
| Wing Commander
| [[Krishan Kant Saini]]
| [[Krishan Kant Saini]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 18 Nov 1962
| 18 Nov 1962
| [[Sino-Indian War|Operation Leg Horn]]
| 1962 [[Sino-Indian War|Operation Leg Horn]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4350}}</ref>
|-
|Signalman
|DC Dhilan
|[[Indian Army]]
|1963
|1963
|-
|[[Havildar]]
|KG George
|[[Indian Army]]
|1965
|1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref name=":3" />
|-
|-
| Lt Gen
| [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| [[Zorawar Chand Bakshi]]
| [[Zorawar Chand Bakshi]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]]
| 05 Aug 1965
| 05 Aug 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Ablaze]]
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Ablaze]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant General Zorawar Chand Bakshi |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1131}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Wg Cdr
| Wing Commander
| [[Trevor Keelor]]
| [[Trevor Keelor]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 03 Sep 1965
| 03 Sep 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wing Commander Trevor Keelor |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4352}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Flt. Lt.
| Flight Lieutenant
| [[Virendera Singh Pathania]]
| [[Virendera Singh Pathania]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 04 Sep 1965
| 04 Sep 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/5198}}</ref>
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Lieutenant Virendera Singh Pathania |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4353}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania|url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/5198}}</ref>
|-  
|-  
| Air Cmde
| [[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]]
| [[Alfred Tyrone Cooke]]
| [[Alfred Tyrone Cooke]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 07 Sep 1965
| 07 Sep 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Commodore Alfred Tyrone Cooke |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4473}}</ref>
|-
| [[Junior commissioned officer|Naib Subedar]]
| Ganesh Datt
| [[Indian Army]]
| 07 Sep 1965
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Naib Subedar Ganesh Datt |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3207}}</ref>
|-
| Wing Commander
| [[Amar Jit Singh Sandhu]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 17 Sep 1965
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wing Commander Amarjit Singh Sandhu |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4366}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Service Record for Wing Commander Amar Jit Singh Sandhu 4705 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/4705 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Naib Subedar
|Lt Col (later Brig.)
|Ganesh Datt Joshi
|Russi Hormusji Bajina
|[[Indian Army]]
|Indian Army
|07 Sep 1965
|18 Sep 1965
|[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]]
|1965 Operation Riddle
|-
|-
| Air Mrshl
| [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]]
| [[Denzil Keelor]]
| [[Denzil Keelor]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 19 Sep 1965
| 19 Sep 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Marshal Denzil Keelor |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/8}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Lt Gen
| [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| [[Mohammad Ahmed Zaki|Mohammad Ahmad Zaki]]
| [[Mohammad Ahmed Zaki|Mohammad Ahmad Zaki]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]]
| 20 Sep 1965
| 20 Sep 1965
| [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]
| 1965 [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Operation Riddle]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant General Mohammad Ahmad Zaki |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3153}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Adm
| [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]]
| [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]]s
| [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]]
| [[Indian Navy]]
| [[Indian Navy]]
| 01 Dec 1971
| 01 Dec 1971
| [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2970}}</ref>
 
|-
| [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| JK Tomar
| [[Indian Army]]
| 03 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Brigadier JK Tomar |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1918}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Lt Col
| [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| [[Satish Nambiar]]
| [[Satish Nambiar]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]]
| 11 Dec 1971
| 11 Dec 1971
| [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Colonel Satish Nambiar |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2161}}</ref>
 
|-
| [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| P V Sahadevan
| [[Indian Army]]
| 16 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Brigadier P V Sahadevan |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2278}}</ref>
|-
|[[Captain rank|Captain]]
|Prashant Kumar Ghosh
|[[Indian Army]]
|1971
|1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref name=":4" />
|-
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| Vikram Deuskar
| [[Indian Army]]
| 16 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Denkar |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2197}}</ref>
|-
| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
| style="background:#e3d9ff;"| Satish Chander Sehgal
| [[Indian Army]], [[75 Medium Regiment (India)|75 Medium Regiment]]
| 16 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Battle of Basantar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain Satish Chander Sehgal |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2491}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Air Cmde
| [[Air commodore (India)|Air Commodore]]
| [[Jasjit Singh (IAF officer)|Jasjit Singh]]
| [[Jasjit Singh (IAF officer)|Jasjit Singh]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 17 Dec 1971
| 17 Dec 1971
| [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Commodore Jasjit Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/247}}</ref>
|-
| [[Havildar]]
| Gurdev Singh Hans
| [[Indian Army]]
| 17 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Havildar Gurdev Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1930}}</ref>
|-
| Squadron Leader
| Ramesh Chander Kohli
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 17 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Kohli |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/223}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Adm
| [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]]
| [[Arun Prakash]]
| [[Arun Prakash]]
| [[Indian Navy]]
| [[Indian Navy]]
| 21 Dec 1971
| 21 Dec 1971
| [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Operation Cactus Lily]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Admiral Arun Prakash |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4186}}</ref>
|-
| Wing Commander
| Sukhdev Singh Dhillon
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 17 Dec 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wing Commander Sukhdev Singh Dhillon |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/209}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Squadron Leader
| Squadron Leader
Line 155: Line 267:
| [[Indian Air force]]
| [[Indian Air force]]
| 1972
| 1972
| [[Battle of Boyra|Boyra Encounter (1971)]]
| 1971 [[Battle of Boyra]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squadron Leader M A Ganapathy |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/193}}</ref>
|-
|Lance Daffadar
|Katar Singh
|[[72nd Armoured Regiment (India)|72 Armoured Regiment]]
|1971
|1971 [[Battle of Chumb|Battle of Chhamb]]
|-
|-
| Group Captain
| Group Captain
| [[Donald ‘Don’ Lazarus]]
| Donald ‘Don’ Lazarus
| [[Indian Air force]]
| [[Indian Air force]]
| 1972
| 1972
| [[Battle of Boyra|Boyra Encounter (1971)]]
| 1971 [[Battle of Boyra]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Group Captain Donald 'Don' Lazarus |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/201}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://guardingindia.com/pakistan/in-1971-the-indian-air-force-shot-down-3-pakistani-planes-within-3-minutes/ | title=In 1971, the Indian Air Force shot down 3 Pakistani planes within 3 minutes | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803121408/https://guardingindia.com/pakistan/in-1971-the-indian-air-force-shot-down-3-pakistani-planes-within-3-minutes/ | archive-date=2021-08-03}}</ref>
<ref>https://guardingindia.com/pakistan/in-1971-the-indian-air-force-shot-down-3-pakistani-planes-within-3-minutes/</ref>
|-
|-
| Flight Lieutenant
| Flight Lieutenant
| [[Lawrence Pereira|Lawrence Frederic Pereira]]
| [[Lawrence Pereira|Lawrence Frederic Pereira]]
| Indian Air Force
| [[Indian Air force]]
| 26 Jan 1972
| 26 Jan 1972
| [[Operation Cactus Lilly]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Frederic Pereira |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/231}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Lieutenant-General
| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]
| Naib Singh Gill
| [[Indian Army]], 6 Sikh Regiment
| 26 Jan 1972
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naik Naib Singh Gill |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1814}}</ref>
|-
|[[Lieutenant General]]
|[[J.B.S. Yadava]]
|Indian Army, [[11 Gorkha Rifles]]
|15 August 1972
|1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/bangladesh-marks-1971-war-victory-honours-indian-soldiers-1788716 |title=Bangladesh Marks 1971 War Victory, Honours Indian Soldiers |website=NDTV |date=2017-12-16 |accessdate=2025-03-24}}</ref>
 
|-
| [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]]
| [[Francis Dias|Francis Tiburtius Dias]]
| [[Francis Dias|Francis Tiburtius Dias]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]]
| 15 August 1972
| 15 August 1972
| [[Operation Cactus Lilly]]
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant-General Francis Tiburtius Dias |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2465}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Major-General
| [[Major (India)|Major]]
| Ngangom Joy Dutta Singh
| [[Indian Army]]
| 26 Jan 1988
| 1987 [[Operation Pawan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=VrC Major Ngangom Joy Dutta Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2575}}</ref>
|-
| [[Major general (India)|Major-General]]
| [[Dalvir Singh]]
| [[Dalvir Singh]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| 26 Jan 1988
| 26 Jan 1988
| [[Jaffna University Helidrop]], [[Operation Pawan]]
| 1987 [[Jaffna University Helidrop]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major General Dalvir Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2571}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Lt Commander
| [[Lieutenant commander|Lieutenant Commander]]
|Deepak Agarwal
| Deepak Agarwal
|[[Indian Navy]]
| [[Indian Navy]]
|26 Jan 1988
| 26 Jan 1988
|[[Operation Pawan]]
| 1987 [[Operation Pawan]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Commander Deepak Agarwal |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3860}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Captain  
| [[Sepoy]]
| Kamkholam Kuki
| [[Indian Army]], Assam Regiment
| 17 Dec 1989
| 1987 [[Operation Pawan]]<ref>{{cite web| url=https://twdi.in/node/4809 | title=Vir Chakra (VrC) Awardee: Nk Kamkholam Kuki, VrC }}</ref>
|-
| Flight Lieutenant
| Abdul Naseer Hanfee<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/meet-vir-chakra-awardee-cap-hanfee-who-flew-his-mi-17-continuously-for-3-days-and-helped-india-win-1987-siachen-standoff-332743.html|title = Vir Chakra Awardee Capt Abdul Naseer Flew MI-17 Tirelessly to Help India Win Siachen in 1987|date = 11 November 2017}}</ref>
| [[Indian Air Force]], 128 Helicopter Unit
| 26 January 1989
| 1984 [[Operation Meghdoot]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Flight Lieutenant Abdul Naseer Hanfee |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/134}}</ref>
|-
|[[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]
|[[Kaushal Yadav (soldier)|Kaushal Yadav]] †
|[[Indian Army]],[[Para (Special Forces)|9 PARA (SF)]]
|26 July 1999
|1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naik Kaushal Yadav |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/naik-kaushal-yadav |website=Gallantry Awards |access-date=2025-03-23}}</ref>
 
|-
| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
| [[Jintu Gogoi]]
| [[Jintu Gogoi]]
| [[Indian Army]]
| [[Indian Army]], 18 [[Garhwal Rifles]]
| 15 Aug 1999
| 15 Aug 1999
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain Jintu Gogoi |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2668}}</ref>
[[Kargil War]]
|-
|-
| Sqn Ldr
| Squadron Leader
| [[Ajay Ahuja]]
| [[Ajay Ahuja]]†
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 01 Jan 1999
| 01 Jan 1999
| [[Operation Safed Sagar]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Safed Sagar]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/110}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Col
| [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| [[Magod Basappa Ravindranath]]
| [[Magod Basappa Ravindranath]]
| Indian Army, 2 [[Rajputana Rifles]]
| [[Indian Army]], 2 [[Rajputana Rifles]]
|28 Jun 1999
|28 Jun 1999
| [[Battle of Tololing]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Battle of Tololing]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colonel Magod Basappa Ravindranath |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2715}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Lt Colonel  
| [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| [[Ramakrishnan Vishwanathan]]
| [[Ramakrishnan Vishwanathan]]
| Indian Army, 18 grenadiers
| [[Indian Army]], 18 [[The Grenadiers|Grenadiers]]
| Jun 1999
| Jun 1999
| [[Battle of Tololing]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Battle of Tololing]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lieutenant Colonel Ramakrishnan Vishwanathan |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2716}}</ref>
|-
|-
|L/HAV
| [[Havildar|L/Havildar]]
| [[RAM KUMAR]]
| Ram Kumar
| Indian Army, 18 grenadiers
| [[Indian Army]], 18 [[The Grenadiers|Grenadiers]]
| Jun 1999
| Jun 1999
| [[Battle of Tololing]], [[Kargil War]]<ref>{{cite web|title=L/HAV RAM KUMAR |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/ram-kumar-2}}</ref>
| 1999 [[Battle of Tololing]]<ref>{{cite web |title=L/Havildar Ram Kumar |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2713}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Major
| [[Major (rank)|Major]]
| [[Mariappan Saravanan]]
| [[Mariappan Saravanan]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]], [[Bihar Regiment|1st Bihar Regiment]]
| 15 Aug 1999
| 15 Aug 1999
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Major Mariappan Saravanan |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2651}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Col
| [[Colonel (India)|Colonel]]
| [[Lalit Rai]]
| [[Lalit Rai]]
| Indian Army
|[[Indian Army]], 1/11 GR
| 15 Aug 1999
| 15 Aug 1999
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colonel Lalit Rai |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2714}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Lt. Col.
| [[Lieutenant colonel|Lieutenant Colonel]]
| [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi]]
| [[Yogesh Kumar Joshi]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]], 13 JAK RIF
| 15 Aug 1999
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2717}}</ref>
|-
| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
| Sanjeev Singh Jamwal
| [[Indian Army]], 13 JAK RIF
| 15 Aug 1999
| 15 Aug 1999
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)]], [[Kargil War]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi |url=http://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/yogesh-kumar-joshi}}</ref>
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain Sanjeev Singh Jamwal |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2655}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Sepoy
| [[Gunner (artillery)|Gunner]]
| [[Roshan Kumar]]
| style="background:#e3d9ff;"|Sanjeev Gopala Pillai
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]], 4 Medium Regiment
| 15 Aug 1999
| 15 Aug 1999
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gunner Sanjeev Gopala Pillai |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2822}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Captain
| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
|Vijyant Thapar
| Vijyant Thapar
|[[Indian Army]]
| [[Indian Army]], 2 [[Rajputana Rifles]]
|16 Dec 1999
| 16 Dec 1999
|[[Kargil War|Operation Vijay, Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Captain Vijyant Thapar |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2660}}</ref>
|-
|-
| Havildar
| [[Havildar|L/Havildar]]
| [[Chuni Lal]]
| [[Chuni Lal]]
| Indian Army
| [[Indian Army]], 8 JAK LI
| 30 Aug 2000
| 30 Aug 2000
| [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]], [[Kargil War]]
| 1999 [[Operation Vijay (1999)|Operation Vijay]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Havildar Chuni Lal |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/2869}}</ref>
|-
| Wing Commander
| [[Abhinandan Varthaman]]
| [[Indian Air Force]]
| 15 Aug 2019
| 2019 [[2019 India–Pakistan standoff|India-Pakistan Standoff]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4888}}</ref>
|-
| [[Junior commissioned officer|Naib Subedar]]
| Nuduram Soren
| [[Indian Army]], [[Bihar Regiment|16th Bihar Regiment]]
| 26 Jan 2021
| 2020 [[Operation Snow Leopard]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4952}}</ref>
|-
| [[Naik (military rank)|Naik]]
| Deepak Singh
| [[Indian Army]], [[Bihar Regiment|16th Bihar Regiment]]
| 26 Jan 2021
| 2020 [[Operation Snow Leopard]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naik Deepak Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4955}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sepoy]]
| Gurtej Singh
| [[Indian Army]], [[Punjab Regiment (India)|3rd Punjab Regiment]]
| 26 Jan 2021
| 2020 [[Operation Snow Leopard]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sepoy Gurtej Singh |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/4956}}</ref>
|-
| [[Havildar]]
| Mangal Singh sisodiya
| [[Indian Army]]
| 4 April 1971
| 1971 [[Operation Cactus-Lilly|Indo-Pakistan War]]<ref>{{Cite web |title= magal singh sisodiya  |publisher=Gallantry Awards |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1930}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Wg Cdr
|Group Captain
|[[Abhinandan Varthaman]]
|Ranjeet Singh Sidhu
|[[Indian Air Force]]
|[[Indian Air Force]]
|15 Aug 2019
|15 August 2025
|[[2019 India–Pakistan standoff|2019 India-Pakistan standoff]]
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Independence Day: Rare military honour for 7 top officers for Operation Sindoor; 9 Vir Chakra for IAF pilots |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/independence-day-rare-military-honour-for-7-top-officers-for-operation-sindoor-9-vir-chakra-for-iaf-pilots-3681435 |access-date=2025-08-19 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|Sepoy
|Group Captain
|Gurtej Singh
|[[Manish Arora (officer)|Manish Arora]]
|[[Indian Army]]
|Indian Air Force
|26 Jan 2021
|15 August 2025
|[[2020–2021 China–India skirmishes]]
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Group Captain
|Animesh Patni
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Group Captain
|Kunal Kalra
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Wing Commander
|Joy Chandra
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Squadron Leader
|Sarthak Kumar
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Squadron Leader
|Siddhant Singh
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Squadron Leader
|Rizwan Malik
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Flight Lieutenant
|Aarshveer Singh Thakur
|Indian Air Force
|15 August 2025
|2025 [[Operation Sindoor]]<ref name=":1" />
|}
|}
==Notes==
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Cardozo |first1=Ian |title=Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle |date=2003 |publisher=Roli Books |location=New Delhi |isbn=978-81-7436-262-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D9ymBAAAQBAJ |language=en}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://twdi.in/awards?service=All&field_awards_medal_nid=359&field_awards_operation_nid=All Vir Chakra awardees], TWDI
* [http://twdi.in/awards?service=All&field_awards_medal_nid=359&field_awards_operation_nid=All Vir Chakra awardees], TWDI
* [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/awards/war/303-vrc.html IAF Vir Chakra awardees], Bharat Rakshak


{{Indian Military honours and decorations}}
{{Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces}}
{{India Honours and Decorations}}


[[Category:1950 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1946]]
[[Category:Courage awards]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of India]]
[[Category:Military awards and decorations of India]]
[[Category:Courage awards]]
[[Category:Awards established in 1946]]
[[Category:1950 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vir Chakra|*]]

Latest revision as of 17:44, 26 March 2026


"VrC" redirects here. For other uses, see VrC (disambiguation).
Vir Chakra
Vir Chakra

Vir Chakra and its ribbon, the third highest military decoration of India
TypeMedal
CountryIndia Republic of India
Presented byIndia Republic of India
EligibilityMilitary Personnel Only
Post-nominalsVrC
StatusCurrently Awarded
First awarded1947
Last awarded15th August, 2025
Total awarded posthumously362
Total recipients1335 (As of 2023)[1]
Precedence
Next (higher) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal[2]
Equivalent Shaurya Chakra[lower-alpha 1][2]
Next (lower) Yudh Seva Medal[2]

The Vir Chakra (pronunciation: ʋiːɾa tʃakɾa, lit. 'Wheel of Bravery') is an Indian wartime military bravery award presented for acts of gallantry on the battlefield, on land or in the air or at sea.[3]

It is third in precedence in wartime gallantry awards and comes after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.[4] sub=sardul singh =vir chakra}}</1948

Origin[edit | edit source]

It was established by the President of India on 26 January 1950 (with effect from 15 August 1947). The statutes were amended on 12 January 1952 to readjust the order of wearing as new decorations were established.[5]

It replaced the British Distinguished Service Cross (DSC), Military Cross (MC) and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). Award of the decoration carries with it the right to use Vr.C. as a postnominal abbreviation [note the care to distinguish this abbreviation from that for the Victoria Cross (V.C.)

Appearance[edit | edit source]

The medal is ​1 3⁄8inch circular silver medal.[6] A five pointed star, with the chakra in the centre, and, on this, the domed gilded state emblem. The decoration is named on the rim and suspended from a swiveling straight-bar suspender. The decoration is almost always named and dated on the edge. Around a plain centre, two legends are separated by lotus flowers; with Vir Chakra in Hindi above and in English below. The ribbon is 32 mm, half dark blue and half orange-saffron; dark blue 16 mm, saffron 16 mm.[7]

The award carries with it a cash allowance and, in some cases, a lump sum cash award. This has been a rather controversial issue throughout the life of the decoration. From 1 February 1999, the central government set a monthly stipend of Rs. 850 for recipients of the award. In addition, many states have established individual pension rewards for the recipients of the decoration.

List of Vir Chakra recipients[edit | edit source]

A total of 1327 personnel received Vir Chakra. Some of the notable Vir Chakra awardees include:[8]

Key
† Indicates posthumous honour
Rank Recipient Service Date
Lieutenant TGN Pai Indian Army 1950 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[9]
Jemadar Kanikasami Indian Army 1947 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[10]
Major HS Bains Indian Army 1948 1948 Operation Polo[11]
Brigadier Harbaksh Singh Indian Army 1 May 1948 1948 Operation Polo[11]
Lieutenant Colonel Girdhari Singh Indian Army 26 February 1948 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[12][13]
Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bhim Chand Indian Army 23 August 1948 and 27 December 1948 (2) 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[14][15]
Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt Indian Air Force 26 Jan 1950 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[16]
Major Tirath Singh Oberoi Indian Army 26 Jan 1950 1947 Indo-Pakistan War[17]
Major General Ashwani Kumar Diwan Indian Army 18 Nov 1962 1962 Sino-Indian War
Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini Indian Air Force 18 Nov 1962 1962 Operation Leg Horn[18]
Signalman DC Dhilan Indian Army 1963 1963
Havildar KG George Indian Army 1965 1965 Indo-Pakistan War[19]
Lieutenant General Zorawar Chand Bakshi Indian Army 05 Aug 1965 1965 Operation Ablaze[20]
Wing Commander Trevor Keelor Indian Air Force 03 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle[21]
Flight Lieutenant Virendera Singh Pathania Indian Air Force 04 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle[22][23]
Air Commodore Alfred Tyrone Cooke Indian Air Force 07 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle[24]
Naib Subedar Ganesh Datt Indian Army 07 Sep 1965 1965 Indo-Pakistan War[19]
Wing Commander Amar Jit Singh Sandhu Indian Air Force 17 Sep 1965 1965 Indo-Pakistan War[25][26]
Lt Col (later Brig.) Russi Hormusji Bajina Indian Army 18 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle
Air Marshal Denzil Keelor Indian Air Force 19 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle[27]
Lieutenant General Mohammad Ahmad Zaki Indian Army 20 Sep 1965 1965 Operation Riddle[28]
Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas Indian Navy 01 Dec 1971 1971 Operation Cactus Lily[29]
Brigadier JK Tomar Indian Army 03 Dec 1971 1971 Operation Cactus Lily[30]
Lieutenant Colonel Satish Nambiar Indian Army 11 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[31]
Brigadier P V Sahadevan Indian Army 16 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[32]
Captain Prashant Kumar Ghosh Indian Army 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[32]
Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Deuskar Indian Army 16 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[33]
Captain Satish Chander Sehgal Indian Army, 75 Medium Regiment 16 Dec 1971 1971 Battle of Basantar[34]
Air Commodore Jasjit Singh Indian Air Force 17 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[35]
Havildar Gurdev Singh Hans Indian Army 17 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[36]
Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Kohli Indian Air Force 17 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[37]
Admiral Arun Prakash Indian Navy 21 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[38]
Wing Commander Sukhdev Singh Dhillon Indian Air Force 17 Dec 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[39]
Squadron Leader M A Ganapathy Indian Air force 1972 1971 Battle of Boyra[40]
Lance Daffadar Katar Singh 72 Armoured Regiment 1971 1971 Battle of Chhamb
Group Captain Donald ‘Don’ Lazarus Indian Air force 1972 1971 Battle of Boyra[41][42]
Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Frederic Pereira Indian Air force 26 Jan 1972 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[43]
Naik Naib Singh Gill Indian Army, 6 Sikh Regiment 26 Jan 1972 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[44]
Lieutenant General J.B.S. Yadava Indian Army, 11 Gorkha Rifles 15 August 1972 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[45]
Lieutenant General Francis Tiburtius Dias Indian Army 15 August 1972 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[46]
Major Ngangom Joy Dutta Singh Indian Army 26 Jan 1988 1987 Operation Pawan[47]
Major-General Dalvir Singh Indian Army 26 Jan 1988 1987 Jaffna University Helidrop[48]
Lieutenant Commander Deepak Agarwal Indian Navy 26 Jan 1988 1987 Operation Pawan[49]
Sepoy Kamkholam Kuki Indian Army, Assam Regiment 17 Dec 1989 1987 Operation Pawan[50]
Flight Lieutenant Abdul Naseer Hanfee[51] Indian Air Force, 128 Helicopter Unit 26 January 1989 1984 Operation Meghdoot[52]
Naik Kaushal Yadav † Indian Army,9 PARA (SF) 26 July 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[53]
Captain Jintu Gogoi Indian Army, 18 Garhwal Rifles 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[54]
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja† Indian Air Force 01 Jan 1999 1999 Operation Safed Sagar[55]
Colonel Magod Basappa Ravindranath Indian Army, 2 Rajputana Rifles 28 Jun 1999 1999 Battle of Tololing[56]
Lieutenant Colonel Ramakrishnan Vishwanathan Indian Army, 18 Grenadiers Jun 1999 1999 Battle of Tololing[57]
L/Havildar Ram Kumar Indian Army, 18 Grenadiers Jun 1999 1999 Battle of Tololing[58]
Major Mariappan Saravanan Indian Army, 1st Bihar Regiment 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[59]
Colonel Lalit Rai Indian Army, 1/11 GR 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[60]
Lieutenant Colonel Yogesh Kumar Joshi Indian Army, 13 JAK RIF 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[61]
Captain Sanjeev Singh Jamwal Indian Army, 13 JAK RIF 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[62]
Gunner Sanjeev Gopala Pillai Indian Army, 4 Medium Regiment 15 Aug 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[63]
Captain Vijyant Thapar Indian Army, 2 Rajputana Rifles 16 Dec 1999 1999 Operation Vijay[64]
L/Havildar Chuni Lal Indian Army, 8 JAK LI 30 Aug 2000 1999 Operation Vijay[65]
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Indian Air Force 15 Aug 2019 2019 India-Pakistan Standoff[66]
Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren Indian Army, 16th Bihar Regiment 26 Jan 2021 2020 Operation Snow Leopard[67]
Naik Deepak Singh Indian Army, 16th Bihar Regiment 26 Jan 2021 2020 Operation Snow Leopard[68]
Sepoy Gurtej Singh Indian Army, 3rd Punjab Regiment 26 Jan 2021 2020 Operation Snow Leopard[69]
Havildar Mangal Singh sisodiya Indian Army 4 April 1971 1971 Indo-Pakistan War[70]
Group Captain Ranjeet Singh Sidhu Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Group Captain Manish Arora Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Group Captain Animesh Patni Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Group Captain Kunal Kalra Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Wing Commander Joy Chandra Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Squadron Leader Sarthak Kumar Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Squadron Leader Siddhant Singh Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Squadron Leader Rizwan Malik Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]
Flight Lieutenant Aarshveer Singh Thakur Indian Air Force 15 August 2025 2025 Operation Sindoor[71]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Though the Shaurya Chakra is placed below the Vir Chakra in the precedence, it is considered as a peacetime equivalent of Vir Chakra.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Awardees". Gallantry Awards. Archived from the original on 2017-08-16.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Precedence Of Medals". indianarmy.nic.in/. Indian Army. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  3. ↑ "TDA - The Defence Aspirant Academy". tdaacademy.in. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "Vir Chakra". Archived from the original on 2002-12-05.
  5. ↑ "Vir Chakra: India's Third Highest Gallantry Award".
  6. ↑ "Statutes and rules relating to the awards of the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Air Chakra". 1 January 1970 (amendment of 1950 version).
  7. ↑ "Bharat Raksahk Monitor: Volume 3(6)". Bharat-rakshak.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-27. Retrieved 2013-07-10.
  8. ↑ "Awardees". MoD, GOI. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  9. ↑ "Major TGN Pai". Gallantry Awards.
  10. ↑ "Jemadar Kanikasami". Gallantry Awards.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Brigadier Harbaksh Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  12. ↑ "Lt Col Girdhari Sing VRC, MC ( Bar)".
  13. ↑ "GIRDHARI SINGH, MC | Gallantry Awards". Archived from the original on 20 July 2019.
  14. ↑ "Subedar Major and Hony Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND" (PDF). gallantryawards.gov.in.
  15. ↑ "Subedar Major and Honorary Captain (then Subedar) BHIM CHAND Vir Chakra". gallantryawards.gov.in.
  16. ↑ "Air Vice Marshal Ranjan Dutt". Gallantry Awards.
  17. ↑ "Major Tirath Singh Oberoi". twdi.in. Gallantry Awards.
  18. ↑ "Wing Commander Krishan Kant Saini". Gallantry Awards.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Naib Subedar Ganesh Datt". Gallantry Awards.
  20. ↑ "Lieutenant General Zorawar Chand Bakshi". Gallantry Awards.
  21. ↑ "Wing Commander Trevor Keelor". Gallantry Awards.
  22. ↑ "Flight Lieutenant Virendera Singh Pathania". Gallantry Awards.
  23. ↑ "Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania".
  24. ↑ "Air Commodore Alfred Tyrone Cooke". Gallantry Awards.
  25. ↑ "Wing Commander Amarjit Singh Sandhu". Gallantry Awards.
  26. ↑ "Service Record for Wing Commander Amar Jit Singh Sandhu 4705 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
  27. ↑ "Air Marshal Denzil Keelor". Gallantry Awards.
  28. ↑ "Lieutenant General Mohammad Ahmad Zaki". Gallantry Awards.
  29. ↑ "Admiral Laxminarayan Ramdas". Gallantry Awards.
  30. ↑ "Brigadier JK Tomar". Gallantry Awards.
  31. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Satish Nambiar". Gallantry Awards.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Brigadier P V Sahadevan". Gallantry Awards.
  33. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Vikram Denkar". Gallantry Awards.
  34. ↑ "Captain Satish Chander Sehgal". Gallantry Awards.
  35. ↑ "Air Commodore Jasjit Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  36. ↑ "Havildar Gurdev Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  37. ↑ "Squadron Leader Ramesh Chander Kohli". Gallantry Awards.
  38. ↑ "Admiral Arun Prakash". Gallantry Awards.
  39. ↑ "Wing Commander Sukhdev Singh Dhillon". Gallantry Awards.
  40. ↑ "Squadron Leader M A Ganapathy". Gallantry Awards.
  41. ↑ "Group Captain Donald 'Don' Lazarus". Gallantry Awards.
  42. ↑ "In 1971, the Indian Air Force shot down 3 Pakistani planes within 3 minutes". Archived from the original on 2021-08-03.
  43. ↑ "Flight Lieutenant Lawrence Frederic Pereira". Gallantry Awards.
  44. ↑ "Naik Naib Singh Gill". Gallantry Awards.
  45. ↑ "Bangladesh Marks 1971 War Victory, Honours Indian Soldiers". NDTV. 2017-12-16. Retrieved 2025-03-24.
  46. ↑ "Lieutenant-General Francis Tiburtius Dias". Gallantry Awards.
  47. ↑ "VrC Major Ngangom Joy Dutta Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  48. ↑ "Major General Dalvir Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  49. ↑ "Lieutenant Commander Deepak Agarwal". Gallantry Awards.
  50. ↑ "Vir Chakra (VrC) Awardee: Nk Kamkholam Kuki, VrC".
  51. ↑ "Vir Chakra Awardee Capt Abdul Naseer Flew MI-17 Tirelessly to Help India Win Siachen in 1987". 11 November 2017.
  52. ↑ "Flight Lieutenant Abdul Naseer Hanfee". Gallantry Awards.
  53. ↑ "Naik Kaushal Yadav". Gallantry Awards. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  54. ↑ "Captain Jintu Gogoi". Gallantry Awards.
  55. ↑ "Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja". Gallantry Awards.
  56. ↑ "Colonel Magod Basappa Ravindranath". Gallantry Awards.
  57. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Ramakrishnan Vishwanathan". Gallantry Awards.
  58. ↑ "L/Havildar Ram Kumar". Gallantry Awards.
  59. ↑ "Major Mariappan Saravanan". Gallantry Awards.
  60. ↑ "Colonel Lalit Rai". Gallantry Awards.
  61. ↑ "Lt Col Yogesh Kumar Joshi". Gallantry Awards.
  62. ↑ "Captain Sanjeev Singh Jamwal". Gallantry Awards.
  63. ↑ "Gunner Sanjeev Gopala Pillai". Gallantry Awards.
  64. ↑ "Captain Vijyant Thapar". Gallantry Awards.
  65. ↑ "Havildar Chuni Lal". Gallantry Awards.
  66. ↑ "Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman". Gallantry Awards.
  67. ↑ "Naib Subedar Nuduram Soren". Gallantry Awards.
  68. ↑ "Naik Deepak Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  69. ↑ "Sepoy Gurtej Singh". Gallantry Awards.
  70. ↑ "magal singh sisodiya". Gallantry Awards.
  71. ↑ 71.0 71.1 71.2 71.3 71.4 71.5 71.6 71.7 71.8 "Independence Day: Rare military honour for 7 top officers for Operation Sindoor; 9 Vir Chakra for IAF pilots". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-08-19.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

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