Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal awarded to 7 officers for Operation Sindoor
Why in the news
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (SYSM) was announced for seven senior officers for their role in Operation Sindoor, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day. It is a rare decoration, with only 10 recipients in total.
Key facts
- Award: India’s highest wartime distinguished service decoration, given by the President for service of the most exceptional order in war, conflict or hostilities.
- Instituted: 1980.
- Total recipients: 10 including the 2025 batch.
- Design: circular gold-gilt medal, 35 mm across, with the State Emblem.
2025 awardees
| Service | Officers |
|---|---|
| Air Force | Air Marshals Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Nagesh Kapoor, Jeetendra Mishra, A.K. Bharti |
| Army | Lt Gens Rajiv Ghai, Pratik Sharma |
| Navy | Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh (Retd.) |
Earlier recipients
Lt Gen Amarjit Singh Kalkat (Operation Pawan, 1989), Air Marshal Vinod Patney (Kargil, 1999) and Lt Gen Hari Mohan Khanna (Kargil, 2000).
Exam angle
- Remember 7 awardees in 2025 and 10 total.
- SYSM is a wartime service medal, awarded by the President.
- Link it to Operation Sindoor.