Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal
The Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal (Ultimate War Service Medal) is India's highest wartime distinguished service decoration. It is awarded for the highest degree of distinguished service in an operational context, which includes times of war, conflict, or hostilities. The award is a war-time equivalent of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, which is India's highest peacetime distinguished service decoration.
| Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Wartime distinguished service |
| Country | India |
Ribbon | |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Padma Bhushan |
| Equivalent | Param Vishisht Seva Medal |
| Next (lower) | Maha Vir Chakra |
The medal has been awarded only three times in history. They have been awarded to officers commanding a large force in a conflict. Lieutenant General A.S. Kalkat was the overall commander of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka. Air Marshal Vinod Patney was the Western Air Commander and Lieutenant General H.M. Khanna was the Northern Army Commander during the Kargil War.