The majority of us have seen the colourful ribbons and medals that soldiers proudly display on their chests as part of their uniforms, but most of us are unaware of the significance of these colour codes. In this article, you can learn what each colour and ribbon in our armed forces means.
A wide range of military decorations is available to the Indian Armed Forces. Exceptional bravery and valour, as well as exemplary service rendered in both times of war and peace, are recognised with decorations. Medals for service and campaigns have been given throughout India’s history as an independent nation.
Mention in Dispatches
Since 1947, mention in dispatches has been used to honour exemplary performance in operational fields and deeds of bravery that are not of a calibre that justifies the award of gallantry medals. All members of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as members of the Reserve Forces, the Territorial Army, the Militia, and other legally-established Military Forces, as well as nurses and civilians employed by or on behalf of the Armed Services, are eligible persons.
Personnel can be mentioned in dispatches posthumously and multiple awards are also possible. A recipient of a Mention in a Despatch is entitled to wear an emblem, in the form of a lotus leaf on the ribbon of the relevant Campaign Medal. They are also issued with an official certificate from the Ministry of Defence.
Commendation Badges
Commendation Cards, badges given for “individual acts of gallantry or distinguished service or devotion to duty performed either in operation or non-operational areas which are not of a sufficiently high order to qualify for a higher gallantry award or for which the higher award is inappropriate,” are issued by all three branches of the military. The honour will be given for a particular act of bravery, exemplary service, or outstanding service. There won’t be a posthumous prize given.
At the rank of the highest officer, all three branches give Commendations Cards (Chief of the Army Staff, Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief of the Air Staff). Lower-level prizes appear to differ between services.
Various Ribbons worn by personnel of the Indian Armed Forces
Order of wear
The various decorations and medals are worn in the following order:
| Precedence | Award Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bharat Ratna |
| 2 | Param Veer Chakra |
| 3 | Ashoka Chakra |
| 4 | Padma Vibhushan |
| 5 | Padma Bhushan |
| 6 | Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal |
| 7 | Param Vishisht Seva Medal |
| 8 | Maha Vir Chakra |
| 9 | Kirti Chakra |
| 10 | Padma Shri |
| 11 | Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak |
| 12 | Uttam Yudh Seva Medal |
| 13 | Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |
| 14 | Vir Chakra |
| 15 | Shaurya Chakra |
| 16 | President’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Gallantry |
| 17 | President’s Police Medal for Gallantry |
| 18 | President’s Fire Services Medal for Gallantry |
| 19 | President’s Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry |
| 20 | President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry |
| 21 | Yudh Seva Medal |
| 22 | Sena Medal / Nao Sena Medal / Vayu Sena Medal |
| 23 | Vishisht Seva Medal |
| 24 | Police Medal for Gallantry |
| 25 | Fire Services Medal for Gallantry |
| 26 | Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry |
| 27 | Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Gallantry |
| 28 | Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak |
| 29 | Parakram Padak |
| 30 | General Service Medal – 1947 |
| 31 | Samanya Seva Medal – 1965 |
| 32 | Special Service Medal |
| 33 | Samar Seva Star-1965 |
| 34 | Poorvi Star |
| 35 | Paschimi Star |
| 36 | Operation Vijay Star Medal |
| 37 | Siachen Glacier Medal |
| 38 | Raksha Medal – 1965 |
| 39 | Sangram Medal |
| 40 | Operation Vijay Medal |
| 41 | Operation Parakram Medal |
| 42 | Sainya Seva Medal |
| 43 | High Altitude Medal |
| 44 | Police (Special Duty) Medal – 1962 |
| 45 | Videsh Seva Medal |
| 46 | President’s Police and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service |
| 47 | President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service |
| 48 | President’s Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service |
| 49 | President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service |
| 50 | President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence for Distinguished Service |
| 51 | Meritorious Service Medal |
| 52 | Long Service and Good Conduct Medal |
| 53 | Police Medal for Meritorious Service |
| 54 | Fire Services Medal for Meritorious Service |
| 55 | Correction Service Medal for Meritorious Service |
| 56 | Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service |
| 57 | Jeevan Raksha Padak |
| 58 | Territorial Army Decoration |
| 59 | Territorial Army Medal |
| 60 | Indian Independence Medal-1947 |
| 61 | Independence Medal – 1950 |
| 62 | 50th Anniversary of Independence Medal |
| 63 | 25th Independence Anniversary Medal |
| 64 | 30 Years Long Service Medal |
| 65 | 20 Years Long Service Medal |
| 66 | 9 Years Long Service Medal |
| 67 | Commonwealth Awards |
| 68 | Other Awards |
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