Kirti Chakra

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Kirti Chakra
Kirti Chakra and its ribbon, the second highest peacetime decoration of India
Type	Medal
Awarded for	Awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.[1]
Country	India
Presented by	President of India
Eligibility	Officers, men and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted forces. Members of the Nursing Services of the Armed Forces. Civilian Citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway protection Force.[2]
Post-nominals	KC
Status	Currently Awarded
Established	1952; 72 years ago (1952)
First awarded	1952
Last awarded	2024[3]
Total awarded posthumously	198
Total recipients	487 (As of 2024)[4]
Precedence
Next (higher)	Param Vishisht Seva Medal[5]
Equivalent	Maha Vir Chakra[5]
Next (lower)	Padma Shri[5]

The Kirti Chakra (lit. 'Wheel of Glory') is an Indian military decoration awarded for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the field of battle. It may be awarded to civilians as well as military personnel, including posthumous awards. It is the peacetime equivalent of the Maha Vir Chakra. It is second in order of precedence of peacetime gallantry awards, comes after Ashoka Chakra and before Shaurya Chakra. Before 1967, the award was known as the Ashoka Chakra, Class II.