Param Vir Chakra Winners List of 2025 Recipients

The Param Vir Chakra winners list highlights the bravery of 21 recipients to date. Major Somnath Sharma was the first recipient of India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). He was awarded posthumously for his gallantry during the Battle of Badgam in Jammu and Kashmir. To date, there are 21 awardees of the Param Vir Chakra, comprising 20 from the Indian Army and 1 from the Indian Air Force. Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is the only Indian Air Force officer posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra in 1971.

Established on 26 January 1950 by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the Param Vir Chakra came into effect on 15 August 1950. The first award was granted for valor in the Battle of Badgam on 3 November 1947 to Major Somnath Sharma, while Captain Vikram Batra received the honor last for his valor during Operation Vijay in Kargil on 7 July 1999. The living recipients as of now are Subedar Major Bana Singh, Subedar Sanjay Kumar, and Subedar Yogendra Singh Yadav. Below is the detailed list of all 21 Param Vir Chakra winners.

Overview of the Param Vir Chakra Winners

The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military honor, awarded for demonstrating extraordinary bravery during wartime in the presence of the enemy. The term translates to "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave." The medal was designed by Eva Yuonne Linda Maday-de-Marose, featuring a purple ribbon with a motif of Rishi Dadhichi. It contains replicas of Indra's Vajra made from Dadhichi's bones, symbolizing sacrifice, surrounding the national emblem.

The medal is made of bronze, measuring 1-3/8 inches in radius and suspended from a bar. The back bears the words "Param Vir Chakra" in both English and Hindi, separated by a lotus. This honor is akin to the "Victoria Cross" in the UK and the "Medal of Honor" in the USA. The comprehensive list of all 21 winners is provided below.

List of Param Vir Chakra Winners (2025)

As of 2025, the Param Vir Chakra has been awarded to 21 Indian soldiers, of which 14 were honored posthumously during various conflicts with Pakistan. Out of these, 20 individuals have received the award for their commendable service in the Indian Army, and one has been recognized from the Indian Air Force. The complete list of Param Vir Chakra winners is shown below.

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1. Major Somnath Sharma - Battle of Badgam
2. Naik Jadunath Singh - Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
3. Second Lieutenant Rama Raghoba Rane - Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
4. Company Havildar Major Piru Singh - Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
5. Lance Naik Karam Singh - Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
6. Captain Gurbachan Singh Salaria - Congo Crisis
7. Major Dhan Singh Thapa - Sino-Indian War
8. Subedar Joginder Singh - Sino-Indian War
9. Major Shaitan Singh - Sino-Indian War
10. Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid - Battle of Asal Uttar
11. Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Tarapore - Battle of Chawinda
12. Lance Naik Albert Ekka - Battle of Hilli
13. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon - Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
14. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal - Battle of Basantar
15. Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya - Battle of Basantar
16. Naib Subedar Bana Singh - Operation Rajiv
17. Major Ramaswamy Parameshwaran - Operation Pawan
18. Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey - Operation Vijay
19. Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav - Battle of Tiger Hill
20. Rifleman Sanjay Kumar - Kargil War
21. Captain Vikram Batra - Operation Vijay

To view or download the complete list of Param Vir Chakra winners, visit the official Indian Army website at https://indianarmy.nic.in or download the Param Vir Chakra winners list PDF below.

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