The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is awarded to officers and enlisted personnel of all military branches for the highest degree of valor or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. It may be awarded posthumously. The PVC is a post-Independent equivalent of the Victoria Cross (VC). It was established on January 26, 1950, by the President of India, with effect from August 15, 1947.

The medal was designed by Mrs Savitri Khanolankar who was married to an Indian Army officer. The medal is of 1-3/8 inch radius and is made of bronze. In the center, on a raised circle is the state emblem, surrounding which are the four replicas of Indra's Vajra.

The decoration is suspended from a straight swiveling suspension bar. On the rear, around a plain center, two legends separated by lotus flowers. The words Param Vir Chakra are written in Hindi and English. The ribbon which holds the PVC is of 32 mm length and purple in color

1947-48 J&K Operations

• Major Somnath Sharma, 4 Kumaon, posthumous • 2nd Lt. Rama Raghoba Rane, Corps of Engineers • CHM Piru Singh, 6 Rajputana Rifles, posthumous • Naik Jadunath Singh, 1 Rajput, posthumous • Lance Naik Karam Singh, 1 Sikh

1962 Indo-China War

• Major Shaitan Singh, 13 Kumaon, posthumous • Major Dhan Singh Thapa, 1/8 Gorkha Rifles • Subedar Joginder Singh, 1 Sikh, posthumous

1965 Indo-Pak War

• Lt. Col. A.B. Tarapore, 17 Poona Horse, posthumous • CQMH Abdul Hamid, 4 Grenadiers, posthumous

1971 Indo-Pak War

• Major Hoshiar Singh, 3 Grenadiers - 1971 War • 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, 17 Poona Horse, posthumous • Fg. Off. N.J.S. Sekhon, No.18 Squadron, posthumous • Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards, posthumous

1999 Kargil Operations

• Captain Vikram Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, posthumous • Lieutenant Manoj K. Pandey, 1/11 GR, posthumous • Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav, 18 Grenadiers • Rifleman Sanjay Kumar, 13 JAK Rifles

UN Operations

• Captain G.S. Salaria, 3/1 GR, posthumous - UN Operations

Saichen Operations

• Naib Subedar Bana Singh, 8 JAK LI - Siachen Operations

IPFK Operations

• Major R. Parameswaran, 8 Mahar, posthumous - IPKF Operations