Which is the highest gallantry award in India?

The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India's highest military decoration awarded for the displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime. The name of the award translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave". PVC is equivalent to the Medal of Honor in the United States and the Victoria Cross in the United Kingdom.

A number of central and state governments and ministries of India provide several allowances and rewards to recipients of the PVC (or his family members in case of the recipient's death).

The PVC was established on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day of India), by the President of India, but went into effect on 15 August 1947 (Independence Day of India). It can be awarded to officers or enlisted personnel from all branches of the Indian military. Provision was made in the event an individual was awarded the PVC twice. In this were to occur, they would receive a bar and a replica of the vajra (club), the weapon of Indra, the god of heaven. To date, the award has not been conferred twice. It carries with it the right to use "PVC" as a post-nominal abbreviation.