Consider the following statements about gallantry awards in India:

Consider the following statements about gallantry awards in India:

  • 1. Post-independence, first three gallantry awards were instituted on 26th January, 1950
  • 2. The first three gallantry awards were Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Ashoka Chakra Class-II and Ashoka Chakra Class-III

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2023
The correct answer is D, meaning neither of the statements is correct.
Statement 1 is incorrect. Post-independence, the first set of gallantry awards were instituted on 26th January, 1950, but there were six awards instituted, not three. These included the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra (for bravery in the face of the enemy), and Ashoka Chakra Class I, Ashoka Chakra Class II, and Ashoka Chakra Class III (for bravery other than in the face of the enemy).
Statement 2 is incorrect. While Ashoka Chakra Class I, II, and III were indeed instituted on that date, they were three out of the six awards, specifically the peacetime series. Calling them “the first three gallantry awards” is misleading, as the wartime awards (PVC, MVC, VrC) were equally “first” (instituted on the same date) and are primarily associated with the term “gallantry” in combat contexts.
The Ashoka Chakra Class I, II, and III were later renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra respectively in 1967. All six initial awards were deemed to have been in effect since 15th August 1947.