Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)

The Ashoka Chakra (alternative spelling: Ashok Chakra) is India's highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and is awarded for the "most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice" other than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded either to military or civilian personnel.

This article is about the military decoration. For the symbol, see Ashoka Chakra.

Ashoka Chakra


Ashoka Chakra and its ribbon
TypeMedal
Awarded forAwarded for most conspicuous bravery, or some act of daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
DescriptionIndia's highest peacetime military decoration
Country India
Presented by Republic of India
Eligibility
  • Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, 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.
Post-nominalsAC
StatusActive
Established1952 (1952)
First awarded1952
Last awarded2021
Total98 (As of 2023)
Total awarded posthumously68
Total recipients98
Precedence
Next (higher) Bharat Ratna
Equivalent Param Vir Chakra
Next (lower) Padma Vibhushan

Havildar Bachittar Singh and Naik Narbahadur Thapa were the first recipients of the Ashoka Chakra. Subsequent awards of the Ashoka Chakra are recognized by a bar to the medal ribbon. A recipient can be awarded the Kirti Chakra or Shaurya Chakra in addition to separate acts of gallantry.

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