| Maha Vir Chakra | |
|---|---|
  Maha Vir Chakra medal and ribbon | |
| Type | Medal |
| Awarded for | "... acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air."[1] |
| Country |  Republic of India |
| Presented by | Republic of India |
| Eligibility | Military personnel |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 26 January 1950 |
| First awarded | 1947 |
| Last awarded | 2021 |
| Total awarded posthumously | 74 |
| Total recipients | 213 (as of 2023)[2][3] |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) |  Param Vishisht Seva Medal[4] |
| Equivalent |  Kirti Chakra[4] |
| Next (lower) |  Padma Shri[4] |
The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) (lit. 'Great Wheel of Bravery') is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the British Distinguished Service Order (DSO). The medal may be awarded posthumously.
- ^ "Maha Vir Chakra". Gallantry Awards. Indian Army. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
- ^ "Awardees". Gallantry Awards – Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2020. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
- ^ "SUMMARY OF HONOURS AND AWARDS TO ARMY ON REPUBLIC DAY 2021" (PDF). Press Information Bureau of India. 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
- ^ a b c "Precedence of Medals". Official Website of Indian Army. Retrieved 15 June 2016.