The Ashoka Chakra Award is the highest peacetime award for bravery at the time of facing danger offered to the military or civilian personnel. It is the gallantry award equivalent to the Param Vir Chakra, which is known as the highest military award. The Ashoka Chakra was first awarded in the year 1952 to Flight Lieutenant Subhas Biswas. He was awarded for his tremendous courage and presence of mind in landing a burning, malfunctioning aircraft that was carrying veteran army personnel. The other recipients of the same year, 1952, were Bachittar Singh and Narbahadur Thapa.
Since then, every year on 26th January, the honorable president of India presents this award to the civilian who showed extraordinary courage during the time of danger.
Here is the Ashoka Chakra Award winner list for the last five years.
| Year | Name |
| 2016 | Mohan Goswami |
| 2017 | Hangpan Dada |
| 2018 | Jyoti Prakash Nirala |
| 2019 | Nazir Ahmed Wani |
| 2022 | Asi Babu Ram |
A total of 98 Ashoka Chakra awards have been given as the highest peacetime military decoration for bravery till the year 2023. The Ashoka Chakra award is also given to the posthumous recipients for giving honor for their sacrifice for the nation.
Criteria of selection
The Ashoka Chakra award winner list is determined by assessing the excellent bravery during any combat or non-combat situation. The recipient of this award can be any civilian or military personnel who acts bravely by taking the risk of their life to provide safety to people or any public property. That’s why the Ashoka Chakra award is equivalent to the highest wartime gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, which is given to the military personnel only.
Design of Ashoka Chakra medal
It is a circular gold medal of approximately 1.38 inch diameter, keeping the Ashoka Chakra at the center. It has a lotus wreath surrounding the chakra with an ornate edge, and it suspends from a dark green ribbon band with a saffron stripe in the middle. The “Ashoka Chakra” is written on the front of the medal in Devanagari script.
Prizes for Ashoka Chakra Award winner
Recipients according to the Ashoka Chakra Award Winners List are awarded the prestigious Ashoka Chakra medal with a monthly stipend and a one-time cash prize. The central government of India instituted a monthly stipend on the 1st of February, 1999. Presently, the allowance increased from Rs. 15,400 to Rs. 33,264. Additionally, the awardee will receive a lump sum amount of Rs. 2 crore as per the latest data of the year 2022.
FAQ
Who were the first three recipients of the Ashoka Chakra Award?
In 1952 the first recipients were Subhas Biswas, Bachittar Singh, and Narbahadur Thapa.
Who is eligible for this award?
Any civilian or military, both men and women, who sacrifices their life and takes risks for the benefit of the nation without fearing the adversities is eligible for this award.
When Ashoka Chakra Award has been started?
It has been started from the year 1952.
Which date was it used to announce?
The Ashok Chakra award is announced on the special occasion of Republic Day, 26th January of every year.
