The Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM, lit. 'distinguished service medal') is a decoration of the Indian Armed Forces. It is awarded to recognize "distinguished service of a high order" to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces.

From 1980, the Yudh Seva Medal was introduced to recognize exceptional services in an operational environment.[2] Since then the VSM has been restricted to non-operational service.

History

The Vishisht Seva Medal was originally instituted as the "Vishisht Seva Medal, Class III" on 26 January 1960. Five other medals were instituted on the same day - the Sainya Seva Medal, Sena Medal, Nao Sena Medal and the Vayu Sena Medal.[3] It was renamed on 27 January 1961, and the badge signed.

Eligibility

The award may be granted posthumously and subsequent awards are represented by a bar worn on the ribbon. The award carries with it the right to use "VSM" as post-nominal letters. The medal was originally established as the "Vishisht Seva Medal, Class III".[2] It was renamed to its present name on 27 January 1967. The design of the medal remained unchanged and the change be reflected only in the records.

Medal

The medal is a 35-mm circular medal, with a five-pointed star in the centre. It is suspended from a straight-bar suspender with the name on the edge. The state emblem with the name of the decoration in Hindi above - "Vishisht Seva Medal" in Hindi. The ribbon is 32 mm long in yellow, with three 2 mm dark blue stripes dividing it into four equal parts

See also

References

  1. ^ "Precedence Of Medals". indianarmy.nic.in/. Indian Army. Retrieved 9 September 2014.
  2. ^ a b Ed Haynes. "Vishisht Seva Medal".
  3. ^ "DESIGNS OF NEW SERVICE MEDAL AND THEIR DESIGNS" (PDF). archive.pib.gov.in. 29 July 1960. Retrieved 10 January 2022.

Further reading

  • Indian Air Force: Vishist Seva Medal & Yudh Seva Medal
    Bharat-rakshak.com awards database
    Pages: 1 to 24, Page 8: Vishist Seva Medal, Cpl V V Audipudi 244047 or Unit: N.A., Award date: 26 January 1978, Announced: 26 January 1978, Details: Citation not available, Reference: N.A.