Param Vir Chakra Awardees

Param Vir Chakra Awardees - Honouring India’s Bravest Heroes

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest wartime gallantry award in India, bestowed upon the bravest soldiers of the Indian Armed Forces who demonstrate supreme courage in the face of the enemy. Instituted on 26th January 1950, the PVC symbolizes selfless service, unmatched valour, and patriotic spirit.

This article pays tribute to the legendary Param Vir Chakra awardees whose sacrifices and courage continue to inspire generations of Indians.

What is the Param Vir Chakra?

  • Meaning: “Param” means ultimate, “Vir” means brave, and “Chakra” means wheel or medal. Thus, Param Vir Chakra translates to “The Wheel of the Ultimate Brave.”

  • Eligibility: Members of all ranks in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, including Reserve Forces, Territorial Army, and civilians under military command.

 

  • Awarded for: Acts of conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air.

Number of Recipients

As of 2025, 21 bravehearts have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra since its inception. Many of these awards have been given posthumously, highlighting the ultimate sacrifice made by our soldiers.

Notable Param Vir Chakra Awardees

1. Major Somnath Sharma (First PVC Awardee – 1947)

  • Conflict: Indo-Pak War, 1947

     

  • Regiment: 4th Battalion, Kumaon Regiment

     

  • Bravery: Despite a fractured arm, Major Sharma led his troops to hold off a massive enemy attack in Badgam (Kashmir) and laid down his life defending the territory.

     

2. Captain Vikram Batra – “Yeh Dil Maange More!”

  • Conflict: Kargil War, 1999

     

  • Regiment: 13 JAK Rifles

     

  • Bravery: Fearlessly led the mission to recapture Point 4875. Despite being under heavy fire, he eliminated enemy troops and sacrificed his life while saving a fellow soldier.

     

3. Subedar Major Bana Singh

  • Conflict: Siachen Conflict, 1987

     

  • Regiment: Jammu & Kashmir Light Infantry

     

  • Bravery: Led a daring assault on a heavily guarded enemy post at 19,000 ft altitude. The captured peak is now called Bana Top in his honour.

     

4. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

  • Conflict: Indo-Pak War, 1971

     

  • Force: Indian Air Force

     

  • Bravery: The only IAF officer to be awarded the PVC, Sekhon single-handedly fought against six Pakistani Sabre jets in Srinagar and shot down two before being martyred.

     

5. Naib Subedar Sanjay Kumar

  • Conflict: Kargil War, 1999

     

  • Regiment: 13 JAK Rifles

     

  • Bravery: Charged up a slope under heavy enemy fire, sustained bullet injuries, killed multiple enemy soldiers, and captured an enemy bunker.

List of All Param Vir Chakra Awardees

No.Name & RankUnitConflict & DateLocation
1Maj Somnath SharmaKumaon RegimentIndo‑Pak 1947 – 3 NovBadgam, J&K ✝️(Pratidin, Jagran Josh)
2Naik Jadunath SinghRajput RegimentIndo‑Pak 1947 – 6 FebNaushera, J&K ✝️
32Lt Rama Raghoba RaneBombay SappersIndo‑Pak 1947 – 8 AprNaushera, J&K
4CHM Piru Singh ShekhawatRajputana RiflesIndo‑Pak 1947 – 17 JulTithwal, J&K ✝️
5L/Nik Karam SinghSikh RegimentIndo‑Pak 1947 – 13 OctTithwal, J&K
6Capt Gurbachan S. Salaria1 Gorkha RiflesCongo Crisis – Dec 5, 1961Katanga, Congo ✝️
7Maj Dhan Singh Thapa8 Gorkha RiflesSino‑Indian 1962 – 20 OctLadakh, J&K
8Subedar Joginder SinghSikh RegimentSino‑Indian 1962 – 23 OctBum La, Arunachal ✝️
9Maj Shaitan SinghKumaon RegimentSino‑Indian 1962 – 18 NovRezang La ✝️
10CQMH Abdul HamidThe GrenadiersIndo‑Pak 1965 – 10 SepAsal Uttar, Punjab ✝️turn0search3turn0search13
11Lt Col Ardeshir B. TaraporePoona HorseIndo‑Pak 1965 – 11 SepPhillora, Sialkot ✝️
12L/Nik Albert EkkaBrigade of GuardsIndo‑Pak 1971 – 3 DecHilli, Tripura ✝️turn0search3turn0search13
13F/O Nirmal Jit S. SekhonIAF, No.18 SqnIndo‑Pak 1971 – 14 DecSrinagar ✝️
142Lt Arun KhetarpalPoona HorseIndo‑Pak 1971 – 16 DecBasantar, Pakistan ✝️
15Maj Hoshiar S. DahiyaThe GrenadiersIndo‑Pak 1971 – 17 DecBasantar River ✝️
16Naib Subedar Bana SinghJ&K Light InfOperation Rajiv 1987 – 23 MaySiachen Glacier
17Maj R. ParameshwaranMahar RegimentOp Pawan 1987 – 25 NovSri Lanka ✝️
18Lt Manoj K. Pandey11 Gorkha RiflesKargil 1999 – 3 JulBatalik sector ✝️turn0search3turn0search13
19Gren Yogendra S. YadavThe GrenadiersKargil 1999 – 4 JulTiger Hill
20Rifleman Sanjay KumarJ&K RiflesKargil 1999 – 5 JulArea Flat Top
21Capt Vikram BatraJ&K RiflesKargil 1999 – 7 JulPoint 5140 & 4875 ✝️turn0search3turn0search13

Legacy and Importance Param Vir Chakra Awardees

  • The PVC award represents India’s gratitude to the courageous defenders of the nation.

  • It is worn with pride on the uniform of the recipient or preserved by the family with deep reverence.

  • Schools, roads, military institutions, and memorials across the country have been named after PVC heroes to immortalize their contributions.

Inspiration for Future Generations

The tales of Param Vir Chakra awardees are more than just stories — they are lessons in bravery, patriotism, and service. Defence aspirants preparing for NDA or SSB can draw immense inspiration from these legends who walked into history with their heads held high and hearts full of courage.

India sleeps peacefully because these brave warriors stood between the nation and its enemies. The Param Vir Chakra awardees are not just military heroes – they are national treasures.
Let us honour their legacy, remember their names, and draw courage from their deeds.

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