National and International-General Knowledge Questions and Answers are updated in June 2024.

Bharat Ratna

The Bharat Ratna is the Republic of India ‘s top civilian award. The award, created on 2 January 1954, is awarded in appreciation of exemplary service / performance of the highest order, without distinction of color, profession, place or sex.

Bharat Ratna Award for Indians

• 1st Indian to be awarded the BharathRatna – C. Rajagopalachari
• In 2013, nobody received the Bharat Ratna. Late Bhimsen Joshi, who won in 2008, got Bharat Ratna’s last award.

Padma Awards

Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri Padma awards are awarded for exemplary and respected service in every region, including support provided by government officials.

For the 54 Padma awards, two were given Padma Víbhushan, 10 were givenwith Padma Bhushan and 42 were rewarded with Padma Shree.

International Gandhi Peace Prize

This award is presented to individuals and institutions through non-violence and Gandhian philosophy for their contributions to social, economic, and political revolutions. The prize is in cash of Rs. 10 million.

Kenneth Kaundahas, the former President of Zambian Republic, was awarded the Gandhi Development Trust’s (GDT) International Peace and Reconciliation Award 2012 in SouthAfrica.

Lal Bahadur Shastri NationalAward

The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award is for Public Administration Excellence, Academics and Management

Smt. Tessy Thomas, selected for the prestigious Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for Public Administration Excellence”-2012

Gallantry Awards

PARAM VIR CHAKRA

India’s highest military decoration is the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), awarded for its distinguished actions in wartime. Param Vir Chakra is the “wheel of the ultimate courage” and it is awarded in the presence of the enemy for “most conspicuous bravery.” The PVC medal was created by Savitri Khanolkar who received the first PVC coincidentally with his brother-in – law daughter Major Somnath Sharma.

MAHA VIR CHAKRA

The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the Second Higher Military Decoration after the Param Vir Chakra (the literally great Warrior Medal) and has received the award for acts of remarkable gallantry in the enemy’s presence, on land, at sea or in the air. The Distinguished Service Order of Britain (DSO) has been replaced The medal is posthumously awarded.

VIR CHAKRA

Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award given in the presence of the enemy on the battlefield for gallantry activities. It replaced the DSC, military cross and distinguished flying cross (DFC). It was the replacement for the British Service Cross (DSC). The decoration award shall be granted the right to use Vr. C. It is the third most important galantric award in the wartime, and it comes after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. as a postnominal abbreviation (note this abbreviation from Victoria Cross abbreviation).

ASHOK CHAKRA

The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest decoration for harmony, brave action or self-sacrifice away from the ground.

KIRTI CHAKRA

Awarded the Kirti Chakra for conspicuous gallantry other than in the face of the enemy. 

The Kirti Chakra is qualified according to categories of persons: 

1. Officers and men and women from all ranks of the Army , Navy and Air Force, Reserve Forces, Territorial Police, Militia, and all other forces lawfully constituted.
2. Members of Armed Forces Nursing Services.
3. Civilian people of any sex in all walks of life and Police members of the Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force.

SHAURYA CHAKRA

The Shaurya Chakra is rewarded for gallantry rather than in an enemy’s nose. The Shaurya Chakra is qualified according to groups of persons:

1. Officers and men and women from all branches of the Army , Navy and Air Force, Reserve Troops, Federal Police, Militia, and all other services lawfully formed.
2. Members of Armed Forces Nursing Services.
3. Civilian people of any sex in all walks of life and Police representatives of the Central Para-Military Services and Railway Security Force.

PARAM VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL

Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) is an Indian Military award. It was established in 1960 and has been awarded in recognition of the most exceptional order in peace-time service since that time and can be awarded posthumously. The award is eligible for all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces including Territorial Army, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces, Nursing Officers and other members of the Nursing Services, and other legally constituted Armed Forces.

ATI VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL

Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) is an Indian military decoration granted to all ranks of the armed forces to honor “distinguished service of an exceptional order” The award is a peacetime equivalent of the Uttam Yuddh Seva Medal, which is the decoration for Wartime Distinguished Service. The award can also be posthumously conferred. Subsequent awards include a bar worn on the ribbon. The award recipient can use “AVSM” as post-nominal lettering.

VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL

The Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) is an Indian Army decoration. It is given to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces to honor “distinguished service of a high level.”

SENA MEDAL / NAU SENA

MEDAL / VAYU SENA MEDAL For good field work, at sea or in the air. Nau Sena Medal (also spelt for Nao Sena Medal, lit. Navy Medal) is a gallantry award for Indian Navy servicemen.