The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal is India’s highest wartime distinguished service decoration. It is awarded in an operational context such as during times of war, conflict, or hostilities. It is the military equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal may be awarded to all ranks of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force including those of Territorial Army Units, Auxiliary and Reserve Forces and other lawfully constituted Armed Forces. The medal can be awarded posthumously.
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal has only been awarded three times in history: To Lieutenant General A.S. Kalkat, the overall commander of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. To Air Marshal Vinod Patney was the Western Air Commander and to Lieutenant General H.M. Khanna was the Northern Army Commander during the Kargil War.
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Design
The medal is struck in gold gilt, circular and measures 35 mm in diameter. It’s fitted to a plain horizontal bar with standard fittings.
The obverse bears the State Emblem and the inscription “SARVOTTAM YUDH SEVA MEDAL“. On its reverse, it has a five pointed star.
The ribbon is golden color with one red vertical stripe in the center, which divides it into two equal parts. If a recipient of the medal is subsequently awarded the medal again, every such further award shall be recognized by a bar to be attached to the riband by which the medal is suspended.
