Kirti Chakra is one of the decorations which can be awarded to both the civilians as well as military personals for their valour, courageous action and self sacrifice. Among other Military Awards, it is another peace time award which is equivalent to Maha Vir Chakra.
Kirti Chakra is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards which comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra. Like Ashoka Chakra, with the Kirti Chakra also one will have an additional bar attached with every courageous act. The medal is awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy. The decoration may be awarded posthumously. Rs.1050 pm and each bar to the decoration will carry the same amount of monetary allowance as admissible to the original award with effect from February 1, 1999.
History of Kirti Chakra
In 1952, the award was established as the “Ashoka Chakra, Class II†by the President of India. In1967, it was renamed as "Kirti Chakra".
Medal of Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra which was initially developed as Ashoka Chakra Class II looks much similar to Ashoka chakra where it too bears a symbol of Ashoka wheel in the centre, surrounded with lotus wreath and ornate edge. Suspended by the straight bars, the medal is named at the edge. On the reverse side, medal is blank at the centre which bears the writing of Ashoka Chakra written in Hindi along with the upper rim and in English in the lower rim. This was changed after 1967 and was renamed as "Kirti Chakra" written in both Hindi and English. Regarding appearance it consists of 30mm long ribbon with 8.5mm dark green strip in the left, two 2mm saffron stripes in the middle and 8.5 mm strip in the right.
Personnel Eligibility for Kirti Chakra
The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the Kirti Chakra:
•All the men and women and the officers, all the ranks of Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force , of any reserved Force, territorial army, militia and any other lawfully constructed Indian Armed Force shall be eligible for the honour.
•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.
Till now, Kirti Chakra along with Ashok Chakra has been awarded to only one man who is considered to be most decorated soldier of Indian army. Col. N. J. Nair is the only soldier who has been honoured with both the awards. Thus, Kirti Chakra along with other gallantry awards forms the 4th gallantry award of the nation which holds the pride of India.
