Indian Award System is primarily recognized by the Indian government. The  honor bestowed by the patriotic award can be put under two categories namely :

1. Wartime Awards and

2. Peacetime Gallantry Awards.

1. War Time Awards:

A] Param Vir Chakra:

• Established on 26^th January 1950, it is the highest military award that is bestowed by the government of India.
• It is awarded for highest degree of valor or self-sacrifice in the presence of enemy. It can be and more often has been awarded posthumously.
• The medal is a circular bronze disc. The state emblem appears in the centre surrounded by indra’s vajra. The medal symbolizes Rishi Dadhichi who donated his bones to the gods for making vajra.

B] Maha Vir Chakra:

• Established on January 26^th 1950, It is the second highest military award by the Indian government for conspicuous gallantry in the presence of enemy.
• The medal is a silver disc on which a five pointed heraldic star is embossed. The words “Mahavir Chakra” is embossed in Devnagari and English.

C] Vir Chakra

• Established on January 26^th 1950, it is the third highest gallantry  award conferred for acts of bravery in the battle field.

2. Peacetime Gallantry Award:

A] Ashoka Chakra Award:

• Instituted on 4^th January 1952, this award is the peace time equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra.
• It CAN BE AWARDED TO MILITARY AS WELL AS CIVILIAN PERSONNEL AND CAN BE AWARDED POSTHUMOUSLY.

B] Shaurya Chakra

• It is the peacetime equivalent to Vir Chakra.
• It is generally awarded for counter-insurgency operations and action against enemy during peacetime.
• It is 3^rd in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry award and comes after Ashoka Chakra and Kriti Chakra.