Param Vir Dirgha Rashtrapati Bhavan inauguration highlights India’s gallantry awardees and Vijay Diwas 2025 celebrations. Learn about Param Vir Chakra heroes, military history, and key facts for exams.
🪖 Param Vir Dirgha: A Tribute to India’s Highest Gallantry Awardees
The Param Vir Chakra is India’s most prestigious military decoration, awarded only for displaying the most conspicuous bravery and self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Instituted after independence, the award honours the extraordinary courage exhibited by soldiers in wars and battles fought for the unity and security of the nation.
The Param Vir Dirgha gallery not only commemorates these gallantry awardees but also serves as an educational space where students, citizens, and visitors can learn about the personal sacrifices of decorated soldiers. Through this initiative, Rashtrapati Bhavan celebrates Indian military heritage and reinforces respect for the armed forces among visitors.
🏛️ Historic Shift: From Colonial Portraits to National Heroes
Prior to the inauguration, the corridors of Rashtrapati Bhavan displayed portraits of British Aides-de-Camp (ADCs), reflecting remnants of colonial legacies. The introduction of Param Vir Dirgha marks a symbolic shift from colonial memory to Indian valor and heritage.
This change aligns with ongoing efforts to embrace India’s rich cultural and historical identity post-independence — inspiring generations with real stories of bravery and self-sacrifice.
🇮🇳 Dignitaries and Ceremonial Significance
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key leaders, including:
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
- Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan
- Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi
- Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh
- Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi
Their presence underscored the gallery’s importance in honouring India’s armed forces and reinforcing military ethos in the national consciousness.
🎯 Role of Param Vir Dirgha in National Memory
Param Vir Dirgha is more than a gallery. It stands as a symbol of sacrifice, bravery, and supreme devotion to the motherland. By immortalising the legacy of Param Vir Chakra heroes inside Rashtrapati Bhavan, the nation reinforces the message that courage and service to the country are the highest virtues.
This initiative also promotes patriotism among youth and aspirants preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, CAPF, Banking, Defence, Police, and Teaching sectors — offering them historical insight into India’s gallantry traditions and defence ethos.
🧠 Why This News Is Important for Government Exam Aspirants
Significance in Exam Context
The inauguration of Param Vir Dirgha at Rashtrapati Bhavan holds multi-faceted importance for competitive exam preparations:
- Indian Polity and Governance: It showcases how the President of India performs constitutional and ceremonial duties — a topic frequently asked in exams like UPSC, State PSCs, and SSC.
- Defence & Security Awareness: Knowing about the Param Vir Chakra, its recipients, and how India commemorates its heroes strengthens understanding of national defence structures and honour systems — vital for Defence, CAPF, and Police exams.
- Modern Indian History: Vijay Diwas and the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War are important historical milestones often included in GS & History sections of various exams.
- Cultural Identity & National Pride: This shift from colonial symbolism to celebrating indigenous gallantry reflects India’s evolving cultural narrative— a key theme in social studies papers.
Thus, understanding this event enhances factual knowledge and analytical depth — both essential for government exam success.
📜 Historical Context: The Param Vir Chakra & Vijay Diwas
What Is the Param Vir Chakra?
The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest gallantry award, given for the most conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy. Instituted in 1950, the PVC recognises military personnel whose actions go above and beyond the call of duty.
Since its inception, a total of 21 Param Vir Chakra awards have been conferred — including iconic heroes such as Captain Vikram Batra (Kargil War), Major Somnath Sharma (1947-48 War), and Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (1971 War).
Vijay Diwas: A Day of National Pride
Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 16th December to commemorate India’s overwhelming victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, a conflict that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and exhibited India’s military strength and strategic excellence.
The date honours the courage and sacrifice of Armed Forces personnel who fought valiantly and is observed with ceremonies, parades, and patriotic tributes across the country — making it crucial for exam content relating to modern Indian history and defence achievements.
📊 Key Takeaways from Param Vir Dirgha Inauguration
Key Takeaways from Param Vir Dirgha Inauguration at Rashtrapati Bhavan
| S. No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Param Vir Dirgha was inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on 16 Dec 2025 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. |
| 2 | The gallery features portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, India’s highest gallantry honorees. |
| 3 | The inauguration took place on Vijay Diwas, marking India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War. |
| 4 | Colonial-era portraits of British ADCs were replaced as part of a cultural shift toward celebrating Indian heroes. |
| 5 | The gallery aims to educate visitors and inspire patriotism by highlighting bravery, courage, and sacrifice. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Param Vir Dirgha?
Answer: Param Vir Dirgha is a new gallery inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, showcasing portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees, India’s highest military gallantry honor.
2. Who inaugurated Param Vir Dirgha?
Answer: The gallery was inaugurated by President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on 16 December 2025, coinciding with Vijay Diwas celebrations.
3. Why is Vijay Diwas significant?
Answer: Vijay Diwas is celebrated on 16 December every year to commemorate India’s victory in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War and the creation of Bangladesh.
4. What is the Param Vir Chakra?
Answer: The Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for exceptional bravery in the presence of the enemy. It was instituted in 1950.
5. How many Param Vir Chakra awardees are honored in the gallery?
Answer: All 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees are featured in the Param Vir Dirgha gallery.
6. What was replaced in Rashtrapati Bhavan to create the gallery?
Answer: Colonial-era portraits of British Aides-de-Camp (ADCs) were replaced with portraits of Indian military heroes.
7. Which officials attended the inauguration?
Answer: Senior dignitaries like Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Army, Air, and Navy Chiefs attended the ceremony.
8. How is this gallery important for exam aspirants?
Answer: It provides insights into Indian defence history, gallantry awards, and national leadership, which are frequently asked in UPSC, SSC, CAPF, banking, defence, and teaching exams.
9. Can the public visit Param Vir Dirgha?
Answer: Yes, it is part of Rashtrapati Bhavan, which allows visitors and students to view and learn about India’s military heroes.
10. What message does Param Vir Dirgha convey?
Answer: It emphasizes courage, sacrifice, and patriotism, inspiring citizens and exam aspirants to understand India’s military heritage.
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