MAHAVIR CHAKRA

Design of the Medal and Ribbon

Instituted on 26 Jan 1950 to recognise the act of  gallantry in the presence of the enemy.

Medal: Circular in shape and is made of standard silver, and is embossed on the obverse a five pointed heraldic star with the points of the star just touching the rim.  Medal shall be one and three eighth inches in diameter.  The State emblem (including motto) is embossed in the centre-piece which is dorned.  The star is polished and the centre piece is in gold gilt.  On the reverse it will have embossed Maha Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with two lotus flowers between Hindi and English.  The fitting is swivel mounting.

Ribbon: The ribbon is of a half-white and half-orange colour.

Bar: If any recipient of the Chakra again performs such an act of bravery, as makes him or her eligible to receive the Chakra, such further act of bravery will be recorded by a Bar to be attached to the riband by which the chakra is suspended. For every Bar awarded, a replica of the Chakra in miniature shall be added to the riband when worn alone.

Personnel Eligible: The following categories of personnel shall be eligible for the Chakra :-

• 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 Armed Forces.
• Matrons, Sisters, Nurses and the staff of the Nursing Services and other Services pertaining to Hospitals and Nursing and Civilians of either sex serving regularly or temporarily under the orders, directions or supervision of any of the above-mentioned Forces.

Conditions of Eligibility: The medal is awarded for gallantry in the presence of the enemy on land, at sea or in the air.  The decoration may be awarded posthumously.Monetary Allowance.     Rs. 2400/- pm and each bar to the decoration will carry the same amount of monetary allowance as admissible to the original award with effect from 01.02.1999.