State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 16 Aug 2025

Third President’s Gallantry Medal to Ajay Sahni

Why in News? 

Senior IPS officer Ajay Kumar Sahni, known for leading 52 encounters, has been awarded the President's Medal for Gallantry for the third time in his career.  

• Sahni, a 2009-batch officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, was honored with the President's Medal for his exceptional courage during a high-risk operation in Meerut on Republic Day (26th January 2020), praised for his gallantry, leadership, and dedication under life-threatening circumstances. 

Gallantry Awards  

• About: They are given to the personnel for displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery and total disregard to personal safety in the line of duty.  
  • These gallantry awards are announced twice in a year, first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.  
• Types:  
  • Gallantry Awards in the Face of the Enemy: 
    • Param Vir Chakra (PVC) for most conspicuous bravery 
    • Mahavir Chakra (MVC) for acts of gallantry 
    • Vir Chakra for acts of bravery 
  • Gallantry Awards Other than in the Face of the Enemy: 
    • Includes Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra. 
• Order of precedence of the Awards: 
  • Param Vir Chakra  
  • Ashoka Chakra  
  • Mahavir Chakra  
  • Kirti Chakra  
  • Vir Chakra  
  • Shaurya Chakra