On 4 June 2025, President of India Droupadi Murmu awarded 92 distinguished service decorations to serving and retired personnel of the Indian Armed Forces, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) during the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2025 (Phase-II) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi (Delhi). The awards recognized “exceptional order” service across operational, strategic, and humanitarian domains
- The awards comprised 30 Param Vishisht Seva Medals (PVSM), 5 Uttam Yudh Seva Medals (UYSM), and 57 Ati Vishisht Seva Medals (AVSM), honouring the recipients for their exemplary leadership,dedication, and distinguished service to the nation.
- Lieutenant (Lt) General (Gen) Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Commander, Western Command, and Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, Commander, Southern Command, received the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).
Notable Awardees:
i.Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of Indian Army (IA), a renowned officer in military briefings of the Operation Sindoor, was conferred with the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM).
ii.Lt Gen Bhavish Kumar, who was the Parade Commander in the 2025 Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path, received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).
iii.PVSM awardees also include Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana, who resigned the role of Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, assumed charge as Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) on June 1, 2025.
iv.Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, who assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 2 May 2025, and has accumulated over 3,600 hours of flying experience, was conferred with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) for his distinguished service.
Click Here for the Full List of Awardees
About Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM):
i.The Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) is one of the highest military decorations in India, awarded for the distinguished service of the most ‘exceptional order’ during peacetime.
ii.It is conferred upon all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces, including the Indian Army, Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force (IAF), Territorial Army, Auxillary and Reserve Forces and Nursing Services.
iii.It was established on 26 January 1960 in the name “Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Class I” which was changed to PVSM on 27 January 1967.
About Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM):
i.Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (UYSM) is one of India’s military decorations for Wartime Distinguished Service to recognize distinguished service of the most ‘exceptional order’ during war, conflict, or hostilities.
ii.The award was instituted on 26 June 1980.
About Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM):
i.Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) is a military award presented to recognize distinguished service of the most ‘exceptional order’ to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces during peace time and non-operational conditions of war.
ii.It was established on 26 January 1960.
