Kirti Chakra

This article is about the Indian Gallantry award. For the 2006 Malayalam film, see Keerthi Chakra (film).

Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra

Kirti Chakra and its ribbon, the second highest peacetime decoration of India
TypeMedal
Awarded forAwarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.[1]
CountryIndia India
Presented byIndia President of India
Eligibility
  • Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, 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.[2]
Post-nominalsKC
StatusCurrently Awarded
Established1952; 72 years ago (1952)
First awarded1952
Last awarded2024[3]
Total awarded posthumously198
Total recipients487 (As of 2024)[4]
Precedence
Next (higher) Param Vishisht Seva Medal[5]
Equivalent Maha Vir Chakra[5]
Next (lower) Padma Shri[5]

The Kirti Chakra (lit. 'Wheel of Glory') is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards.[6] It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards, comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra. Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II.[7]

  1. ^ "Official Website of Indian Army". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Official Website of Indian Army". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  3. ^ "President Kovind presents Gallantry Awards and Distinguished Service Decorations". 18 March 2019 – via YouTube.
  4. ^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in.
  5. ^ a b c "Precedence of Medals". indianarmy.nic.in/. Indian Army. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  6. ^ "List of Gallantry awards and other decorations – 2019". The Hindu. 14 August 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
  7. ^ https://warb-mha.gov.in/pdf/awards.pdf