The Commendation Cards of the Indian Army are awarded by the

Chief of the Army Staff Chief of the Army Staff or Chief of Army Staff, which is generally abbreviated as COAS, is a title commonly used for the appointment held by the most senior staff officer or the chief commander in several nations' armies. * Chief of Army Staff ( ...

(COAS) or General Officer Commanding-in Chiefs (GOC-in-C) of the

Indian Army The Indian Army (IA) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Land warfare, land-based branch and largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Commander-in-Chief, Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and its professional head ...

for acts of gallantry, distinguished service, or devotion to duty.

Criteria

The criteria for the award are as per ''Army Order 54/77''–

Types of Badges

There are two types of Commendation Badges – *(a) COAS Commendation Badges, which is awarded by the Chief of the Army Staff. *(b) Army Commendation, which can be awarded by officers of Commander-in-Chief Grade. This includes the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, General officer commanding-in-chiefs of the six operational commands and the

Army Training Command The Army Training Command, abbreviated as ARTRAC, is one of the seven commands of the Indian Army. It is currently based at Shimla. It was established in 1991. History The Army Training Command was established on 1 October 1991 at Mhow in Madh ...

. If a Commendation Badge is awarded more than once, it will be denoted by a star on the badge. For example, a badge awarded for the second time will have a single star. There can be a maximum of three stars will be permitted in each of the Commendation Badges. Similar badges exist for the

Indian Navy The Indian Navy (IN) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the Navy, maritime and Amphibious warfare, amphibious branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy. The Chief of the Naval Staff (India), Chief ...

and

Indian Air Force The Indian Air Force (IAF) (ISO 15919, ISO: ) is the air force, air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial warfare during armed conflicts. It was officially established on 8 Octob ...

. The Chief of Defence Staff also issues commendation cards since 2020, replacing those issued by the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff. B K Chopra DGAFMS

Style of wearing

*The badge is worn immediately above and on either side of the button of the flap of the left breast pocket. If a person has been awarded both the COAS and Army Commendation badges, the former is to the right of the button and the latter to the left. *If an individual has been awarded the Chief of the Naval Staff or Chief of the Air Staff Commendation cards, they can continue to wear it as long as they are posted to Navy, Air Force or tri-service organisations. Once they revert to an Army organisation, they will wear the COAS commendation badge. *Individuals posted to Navy/Air Force/tri service organizations can wear the Commendation Badge of that service/establishment only for the duration of their tenure. On reversion to Army, they will wear the Army Commendation Badge.

Design

*The COAS Commendation Badge medal is oval in shape and made of brass. It has the ensign of the Indian Army - the

Lion Capital of Ashoka The Lion Capital of Ashoka is the capital, or head, of a column erected by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka in Sarnath, India, . Its crowning features are four life-sized lions set back to back on a drum-shaped abacus. The side of the abacus is ad ...

with two cross swords under it. It has the words ''COAS COMMENDATION'' and ''सेनाध्यक्ष प्रशंसा''. *The Army Commendation Badge is octagonal in shape with a red base and golden border. It has the ensign of the Indian Army with the words ''COMMENDATION'' and ''प्रशस्ति''.

Recipients

Most recipients are serving personnel of the Indian Army. The Commendation cards are occasionally awarded to non-Army personnel and civilians, who usually have worked under the supervision, direction and control of the army. They have also been awarded to dogs from the Army Dog Unit and mules from the Animal Transport Unit.

References

External links

{{Awards and decorations of the Indian Armed Forces Military awards and decorations of India Military specialty insignia