9 October 2026
Sir Chris Bryant MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, made an order under Section 11 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act so that the Drumcree procession cannot go ahead as it was determined.
He acted after the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland made a Section 9 request, which led him to review the Parades Commission's initial determination on the Portadown District's application for a procession on 27 September 2026.
Local negotiations at Hillsborough Castle between the Portadown District Loyal Orange Lodge and Garvaghy Road residents did not reach a resolution.
The Chief Constable advised that enabling the procession would require a major intervention carrying an unacceptable risk of serious injury, disorder and wider contagion across Northern Ireland.
The Parades Commission said the original determination no longer has enduring legal effect, while noting that the courts would ultimately decide the question.
The Secretary of State called for all protests, rallies and demonstrations to be stood down.
Power used:
Section 11, Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act
Police request under:
Section 9
Procession date applied for:
27 September 2026
Talks venue:
Hillsborough Castle
Why it matters for exams: It is a clean example of a statutory power exercised by a named Secretary of State on police advice, and of the Parades Commission machinery peculiar to Northern Ireland.
UPSC
In plain words
Parades Commission Parades Commission for Northern Ireland — The body that decides conditions on contentious public processions in Northern Ireland.
PSNI Police Service of Northern Ireland — The police force for Northern Ireland, headed by a Chief Constable.
9 October 2026
The Ministry of Defence announced that Kuwait will buy an advanced air defence system worth £370 million from MARSS Systems Limited, an EOS company.
The system combines jammers, radars and interceptors managed through MARSS's NiDAR platform, an AI-enabled command and control centre.
The deal creates 100 new UK jobs in skilled engineering and manufacturing roles, with production based in Bristol, and will expand the company's UK offices.
The sale is part of the UK's Taskforce Sabre, which helps Gulf states quickly secure defence systems and weapons.
MARSS will integrate the sensors and effectors through 2027.
The United Kingdom has previously supplied Kuwait with Rapid Sentry, a ground-based air defence missile system, and the Royal Air Force's ORCUS system.
Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, issued the statement.
Deal value:
£370 million
Supplier:
MARSS Systems Limited
UK jobs created:
100
Production base:
Bristol
Programme:
Taskforce Sabre
Why it matters for exams: Defence export deals with named values, named systems and a named programme are standard current affairs material, and this one shows how the UK uses a taskforce to sell into the Gulf.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
NiDAR NiDAR — MARSS's AI-enabled command and control platform that links jammers, radars and interceptors.
Taskforce Sabre Taskforce Sabre — A UK programme that helps Gulf states quickly secure defence systems and weapons.
9 October 2026
A suspected drone strike has left at least 40 dead in Sudan's Blue Nile State, near the Ethiopian border, according to initial reports from the ground relayed by UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric on 9 October 2026. Most of the casualties were women and girls. Dujarric condemned the horrifying reports, stressing that attacks directed towards civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law, and called for those responsible for these violations to be held accountable. Fighting in the region has escalated in the last few months as clashes have intensified between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Government. They are fighting over strategic towns and bases near the Ethiopian border, as part of the broader battle for control of Sudan that has been ongoing since April 2023. In recent weeks, thousands of civilians have been displaced in the area due to sustained attacks. Al Jazeera reported the same day that the governor of Wad al-Mahi province put the toll at 30 displaced people killed.
Dead, initial reports:
at least 40
State:
Blue Nile State
War ongoing since:
April 2023
Why it matters for exams: The Sudan war's start date, the parties to it and the prohibition on attacking civilians under international humanitarian law are all examinable points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
RSF Rapid Support Forces — The Sudanese paramilitary force fighting the Government for control of the country.
International humanitarian law International humanitarian law — The body of law that limits the conduct of armed conflict and protects civilians.
9 October 2026
The Security Council met on 9 October 2026 to discuss the crisis in Yemen, where UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg warned that the country has fallen back into full-scale war. A Houthi offensive launched in September has sharply escalated the 12-year-long war for control of the country, and spillover from the US-Iran war has provoked a new displacement crisis. Fighting between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi-backed Government forces is intensifying around Taiz, and more than 200,000 people have been displaced. Government forces say they have recaptured the port city of Mocha, while cross-border missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports and energy infrastructure have continued this week. Aid agencies warn of surging cholera cases, rising child casualties and deepening hunger. Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider regional conflict, including threats to Red Sea shipping, were also expected to feature at the meeting.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen:
Hans Grundberg
People displaced:
more than 200,000
Length of the war:
12 years
Port city Government forces say they recaptured:
Mocha
Why it matters for exams: The post of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, the Red Sea shipping link and the displacement figure are the details examiners pick from a Security Council briefing.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UN Special Envoy United Nations Special Envoy — A senior official appointed by the Secretary-General to lead mediation in a specific conflict.
Security Council United Nations Security Council — The UN organ with primary responsibility for international peace and security, with fifteen members.
9 October 2026
US President Donald Trump announced on 9 October 2026 a deal under which Russia would release diesel to the American and global marketplace. Trump said President Vladimir Putin had agreed to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and another million after that, with a further three million tonnes to follow within a short period depending on the condition of Russia's refineries. Shortly after the announcement the US Treasury formally issued a temporary licence allowing Russian diesel into the market, and the Treasury is suspending sanctions on Russian diesel exports until 7 April as part of the deal, while other Russian assets such as those in American banks remain frozen. Ukraine's President Zelensky said the deal was a gift to Putin that amounts to an investment in a war that must be ended, not prolonged. Putin said Russia confirmed its willingness to supply oil and petroleum products to the US market and global markets at large. The average diesel price in the United States is $6.28 a gallon according to the AAA, down from a record high of $6.53 recorded at the end of September, while Brent crude remains above $103 a barrel. The International Energy Agency estimates Russian diesel production has fallen by nearly 30 per cent after Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries.
Immediate release:
300,000 tonnes
November tranche:
500,000 tonnes
US average diesel price:
$6.28 a gallon
Brent crude:
above $103 a barrel
Why it matters for exams: An energy and sanctions story with hard figures, and a reversal in the direction of sanctions that examiners use to test understanding of oil benchmarks and export curbs.
UPSCBank
In plain words
Brent crude Brent crude oil — The global benchmark grade against which much of the world's crude oil is priced.
IEA International Energy Agency — A Paris-based agency that tracks world energy supply and demand.
9 October 2026
The United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court as an institution, the Court said in a statement on 9 October 2026. The ICC called the step unprecedented and said it followed a series of designations against thirteen independent Judges and prosecutors. The Court said the measure targets an independent judicial institution created by treaty and entrusted by 125 States Parties with investigating and prosecuting genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. It called the sanctions an assault on the rule of law and said the Court will not be deterred. ICC President Tomoko Akane said the Court would continue to fully discharge its mandate, with independence and impartiality. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures, which include a ban on US entities making transactions with the Court, were intended to defend US sovereignty, and Washington allowed a six month grace period before some of them take effect. The United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands reaffirmed their continued and unwavering support for the Court and said they regret and strongly disagree with the sanctions.
States Parties:
125
Judges and prosecutors earlier designated:
thirteen
Grace period before some sanctions take effect:
six months
ICC President:
Tomoko Akane
Why it matters for exams: The ICC's treaty basis, the number of States Parties and the four crimes in its jurisdiction are standard objective questions, and this is the first time the Court itself has been sanctioned.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ICC International Criminal Court — A permanent court at The Hague that tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
Rome Statute Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court — The international treaty that created and governs the ICC.
9 October 2026
The Maharashtra government has filed an affidavit in the Bombay High Court defending the constitutional validity of the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2025.
The affidavit was filed through Pritamkumar Jawale, Deputy Secretary of the Home Department, before Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.
The State said Maharashtra tops the country with 64 Maoist frontal organisations, and that it had no law to ban left-wing extremist front organisations before this Act.
It said it adopted a law similar to those already in force in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
The affidavit cited the Bhima-Koregaon violence of 1 January 2018 and the Elgar Parishad case as evidence of urban Maoist activity.
The State argued that Article 19(2) of the Constitution permits restrictions on freedom of speech and of association on public order grounds.
It said the Joint Committee examined more than 15,000 written objections, after which the Title and Preamble were revised, the Advisory Board's composition was altered, and investigation was restricted to officers not below the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police or Deputy Superintendent of Police.
The petitions challenging the Act were filed by the Indian National Congress and others, and the matter is listed for further hearing.
Maoist frontal organisations in Maharashtra:
64
Written objections examined by the Joint Committee:
more than 15,000
Minimum rank for investigation:
Assistant Commissioner of Police / Deputy Superintendent of Police
Why it matters for exams: A State security law challenged on constitutional grounds, with the exact Article relied on and the comparator States, is standard polity and internal security material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MSPSA Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2025 — A State law to ban and act against unlawful front organisations of left-wing extremist groups.
Article 19(2) Clause 2 of Article 19 of the Constitution of India — It allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of speech on grounds that include public order.
9 October 2026
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a message marking three years since the 7 October attacks on Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
He said more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals were killed in the attack, and another 251 people were abducted and taken into Gaza as hostages.
He also recalled the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza from the hostilities that followed.
According to UN agencies, Israeli attacks have killed more than 70,000 people, including 20,000 children, and wounded more than 100,000.
Nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million people have been displaced, and the territory now has the highest proportion of child amputees in the world.
Guterres said the October 2025 ceasefire has brought some relief but not yet security, adequate humanitarian aid or a credible path to recovery and peace.
He urged all parties to implement their commitments in full and move to the next phase of the ceasefire under Security Council resolution 2803.
Killed in the 7 October attack:
more than 1,200
People abducted:
251
Killed in Gaza, per UN agencies:
more than 70,000, including 20,000 children
Gaza population displaced:
nearly all of 2.1 million
Ceasefire resolution:
Security Council resolution 2803
Why it matters for exams: Security Council resolution numbers, the Secretary-General's role and West Asia chronology are frequently examined.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Secretary-General Secretary-General of the United Nations — The chief administrative officer of the UN, appointed by the General Assembly on the Security Council's recommendation.
Ceasefire Ceasefire — An agreed halt to fighting, which may be partial, temporary or permanent.
Background
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth signed the "framework for the US-India major defence partnership" on 31 October 2025.
It was signed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
The framework runs for 10 years.
It is meant to give a unified vision and policy direction to defence cooperation between the two countries.
Defence is one of the main pillars of India-US ties.
Duration:
10 years
Signed at:
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
US signatory:
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth
Indian signatory:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Why it matters for exams: Defence agreements between India and the United States are a standard international-relations and defence topic.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ADMM-Plus ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus — A defence forum of ASEAN and its partner countries.
Background
NATO's own list of member countries names the United States among the 12 founding members.
The same list records the United States' accession year as 1949.
The United Kingdom is named with the United States among the founders.
At present, NATO has 32 member countries.
India is not a NATO member.
Founding members:
12
Current members:
32
US accession year:
1949
Why it matters for exams: NATO membership numbers and founding members are standard questions on military alliances.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization — The North Atlantic military alliance in which the United States is a founding member.
8 October 2026
US prosecutors unveiled a superseding indictment against ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, 63, and his wife Cilia Flores, 69.
It adds a count of conspiracy to commit torture to the drug trafficking charges they already faced.
The case is before a Manhattan federal court in New York, where US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein presides.
Both had pleaded not guilty to the earlier drug trafficking charges, and their trial is scheduled for 1 June 2027.
The couple were captured by the US military on 3 January in their Caracas home and brought to New York, and have been held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center since.
On the same day, Judge Hellerstein denied Flores' request for release for medical treatment, agreeing with prosecutors that she is an extreme flight risk.
US Attorney Jamie McDonald described the conduct set out in the indictment as truly unthinkable.
New count added:
Conspiracy to commit torture
Court:
Manhattan federal court, New York
Presiding judge:
Alvin Hellerstein
Trial date:
1 June 2027
Date of capture:
3 January
Why it matters for exams: The prosecution of a former head of state in a national court, and the court and trial dates involved, are standard international-law questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Superseding indictment A replacement indictment — A fresh indictment that replaces an earlier one, often to add or change counts before trial.
Flight risk Risk that an accused person will abscond — A court's assessment that a person released from custody may not return for trial.
8 October 2026
General NS Raja Subramani, Chief of Defence Staff and Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, inaugurated residential accommodation and critical trunk utility and amenity infrastructure at the Naval Base, Karwar, on 08 October 2026.
The facilities were built under Project Seabird Phase IIA. Vice Admiral Vivek Dahiya, Director General Seabird, and other senior officers were present.
The inauguration covered one tower of Senior Sailors married accommodation with 60 dwelling units at East of Manzil Creek, one tower of 60 dwelling units for Naval Defence Civilians at Amadalli, in-living accommodation for 156 DSC personnel, and a KG School.
On completion, the base is expected to house approximately 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel along with their families.
Over 90% of materials and equipment used were sourced domestically, in line with Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The project is designed to current Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Indian Green Building Council standards, and is expected to be IGBC Gold rated on completion.
Dwelling units for Senior Sailors:
60 dwelling units
Dwelling units for Naval Defence Civilians:
60 dwelling units
In-living accommodation:
156 DSC personnel
Base capacity on completion:
approximately 10,000 uniformed and civilian personnel
Indigenous content:
Over 90%
Why it matters for exams: Project Seabird at Karwar is India's large naval base development programme and a recurring defence question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Project Seabird Indian Navy base development project at Karwar, Karnataka — The Navy's large base development programme on the Karnataka coast, being built in phases.
DSC Defence Security Corps — The force that guards defence installations in India.
8 October 2026
The UN Security Council on 8 October 2026 unanimously renewed its Sudan sanctions regime for two months, until 11 December.
The regime comprises targeted sanctions and an arms embargo. The mandate of the panel of experts that monitors them now runs to 11 January 2027.
The text, drafted by the United States, is a "technical rollover" that leaves the mandate unchanged. It follows a one-month rollover adopted on 11 September.
The regime is rooted in the Darfur conflict of 2004, when the council moved to stem the flow of weapons into the region.
Separately, WHO says more than 700,000 displaced people in Tawila, Darfur face severe shortages; only 23 per cent of its $97.7 million humanitarian appeal for 2026 is funded.
Renewal period:
Two months, until 11 December
Panel of experts mandate:
Until 11 January 2027
Vote:
Unanimous
WHO Sudan appeal funded:
23 per cent of $97.7 million
Why it matters for exams: Security Council voting, sanctions regimes and panels of experts are staple UPSC and PSC international organisation topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Technical rollover Short renewal with mandate unchanged — A brief extension that keeps an existing mandate as it is.
Panel of experts Panel monitoring a sanctions regime — A group of experts that monitors how a Security Council sanctions regime is applied.
8 October 2026
On 8 October 2026 the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Iran's remaining shadow fleet of ageing tankers and the companies behind it.
The action was taken under Executive Order 13902, which targets Iran's petroleum sector and other key sectors of its economy.
It designated 17 vessels carrying Iranian crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products.
It is part of Operation Economic Outcast, which Secretary Scott Bessent announced on 24 August 2026.
OFAC also removed two vessels, HAKUNA MATATA and PINOCCHIO, from the SDN List after they were sold to non-sanctioned operators.
Vessels designated:
17
Authority:
Executive Order 13902
Operation announced:
24 August 2026
Vessels delisted:
2
Why it matters for exams: Economic sanctions, OFAC and sanctions lists are recurring topics in international relations and current affairs.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control — The US Treasury office that administers and enforces economic sanctions.
SDN List Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List — OFAC's list of sanctioned persons, companies and vessels.
8 October 2026
The Indian Air Force commemorated its 94th anniversary at Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad, on 8 October 2026.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, reviewed the parade and delivered an address.
Three Mi-17 1V helicopters gave an aerial salute in 'Dhwaj' formation, and 33 young Air Warriors formed the Drummers Team.
Five Unit Citations were presented, including to 24 Squadron 'The Hawks' and 200 Squadron 'Skanda'.
The next Air Force Day aerial display is set for 25 October 2026 at Namo Ghat, Varanasi.
Anniversary:
94th
Venue:
Air Force Station Hindan, Ghaziabad
Unit Citations presented:
five
Next aerial display:
25 October 2026, Namo Ghat, Varanasi
Why it matters for exams: Armed forces anniversaries, formations and unit honours are standard defence current-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Unit Citation Unit Citation — An honour awarded to an entire unit for exceptional service.
Mi-17 1V Mi-17 1V — A medium-lift military transport helicopter used by the Indian Air Force.
8 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the personnel of the Indian Air Force on Air Force Day.
In a post shared on X, he said India is proud of our Air Warriors.
He added that on Air Force Day the country salutes their courage and commitment to protect our skies.
The message was issued through the Press Information Bureau, Delhi, by the Prime Minister's Office on October 8, 2026.
Air Force Day is marked in India on 8 October every year.
Occasion:
Air Force Day
Date of the release:
October 8, 2026
Issued by:
Prime Minister's Office, through PIB Delhi
Why it matters for exams: Service days and the dates on which they fall are standard one-mark questions in general knowledge papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
PIB Press Information Bureau — The nodal agency of the Government of India for communicating information to the media.
Background
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997.
The Organisation has 193 Member States, and all States Parties to the Convention are automatically members of the Organisation, each with one vote.
The Conference of the States Parties is the principal and plenary organ. It meets annually for one week in The Hague, elects the members of the Executive Council and appoints the Director-General.
A Review Conference is held once every five years so that States Parties can review the operation of the Convention.
The Executive Council consists of 41 Member States elected by the Conference of the States Parties and rotating every two years, and it supervises the activities of the Technical Secretariat.
The Technical Secretariat is made up of about 500 staff members recruited from over 80 Member States and is headed by the Director-General.
The Organisation records that all of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by possessor States have been verifiably destroyed.
The 2013 Nobel Prize for Peace was awarded to the Organisation on 10 December 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.
Convention entered into force:
29 April 1997
Member States:
193
Executive Council members:
41
Technical Secretariat staff:
about 500
Nobel Peace Prize:
2013
Why it matters for exams: Disarmament questions regularly ask which body implements the Chemical Weapons Convention, how large its Executive Council is and which organ appoints its Director-General.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Conference of the States Parties The principal and plenary organ of the OPCW — It meets annually for one week in The Hague, elects the Executive Council and appoints the Director-General.
Technical Secretariat The permanent staff of the OPCW, including its Inspectorate — About 500 staff from over 80 Member States, headed by the Director-General and supervised by the Executive Council.
Background
NATO was created by 12 countries from Europe and North America on 4 April 1949.
The Foreign Ministers of those twelve signed the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Washington Treaty, at the Departmental Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
The founding member countries were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since then 20 more countries have joined through 10 rounds of enlargement, and at present NATO has 32 member countries.
Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty sets out how countries can join, and states that membership is open to any European State in a position to further the principles of the Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.
Any decision to invite a country to join is taken by the North Atlantic Council, NATO's principal political decision-making body, on the basis of consensus among all Allies.
Greece and Turkiye were the first countries to accede after the founding twelve, three years after the signing of the Washington Treaty.
When Iceland signed the Treaty it did not have, and still does not have, armed forces, though it keeps a Coast Guard, national police forces and an air defence system.
Founding member countries:
12
Treaty signed:
4 April 1949, Washington, D.C.
Rounds of enlargement:
10
Member countries at present:
32
Accession provision:
Article 10
Why it matters for exams: Papers ask how many countries founded NATO, which Article governs accession and which body decides on an invitation, and the Article 10 wording explains why membership is limited to European States.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Article 10 The accession provision of the North Atlantic Treaty — It opens membership to any European State able to further the Treaty's principles and contribute to North Atlantic security.
North Atlantic Council NATO's principal political decision-making body — It decides by consensus among all Allies, including on any invitation to a country to join.
Background
The Press Information Bureau records that Cochin Shipyard was incorporated in the year 1972 as the first green field shipyard of India. The same release describes Cochin Shipyard Limited as the largest public sector shipyard in India in terms of dock capacity. The yard caters to clients engaged in the Defence sector in India and to clients engaged in the commercial sector worldwide for shipbuilding and ship repair. In addition to shipbuilding and ship repair, it also offers marine engineering training. The release states that the company has exported around 45 ships to overseas customers and credits it with building the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier for the Indian Navy. Cochin Shipyard was listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange on 11 August 2017, and the proceeds of the fresh issue were to part fund two expansion projects: a dry dock at the shipyard's own premises, and a ship repair facility in the adjacent Cochin Port Trust premises by setting up of a ship lift and transfer system.
Incorporated:
1972, as the first green field shipyard of India
Described as:
Largest public sector shipyard in India in terms of dock capacity
Ships exported:
Around 45
Stock exchange listing:
11 August 2017
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC asks for the state's public sector landmarks and SSC and UPSC ask who built the first indigenous aircraft carrier; both answers sit in the same Kochi yard, and its listing year and ministry are frequent follow-ups.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Greenfield shipyard Greenfield shipyard — A yard built on an entirely new site rather than grown out of an existing dockyard.
Dry dock Dry dock — A basin that can be drained so a ship's hull can be worked on out of water.
Background
The Ministry of Defence runs an online portal dedicated to the gallantry award winners bestowed since Independence, with the domain name gallantryawards.gov.in. The website gives details of the Chakra Series awardees, that is, Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra. The portal contains information such as name, unit, year, citations and photographs of awardees till date. The Param Vir Chakra is India's highest military decoration, awarded for displaying the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war. At Rashtrapati Bhavan, a gallery called the Param Vir Dirgha was created in corridors that earlier displayed portraits of British ADCs; the Gallery has the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on display, and it was opened on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
Chakra Series decorations:
Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra
Highest military decoration:
Param Vir Chakra
Param Vir Chakra criterion:
The most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war
Official portal:
gallantryawards.gov.in, run by the Ministry of Defence
Details on the portal:
Name, unit, year, citations and photographs of awardees till date
Param Vir Dirgha:
A gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan with the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees
Why it matters for exams: The six Chakra Series decorations are a standard list question, and the wording of the Param Vir Chakra criterion — valour during war — is what separates it from the peacetime decorations in the same series.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Chakra Series Chakra Series of gallantry awards — The group of six Indian gallantry decorations whose names end in Chakra.
Citation Citation of a gallantry award — The official account of the act for which a decoration was conferred.