Awarded on Republic & Independence Day by the respective Chiefs of Staff to such selected individuals from the following categories of personnel as may have rendered a minimum of 15 years combatant or non-combatant service in the Army or in the Navy or Air Force, distinguished throughout by highly good conduct:-

• Army     -   Non-commissioned officers and other ranks below the rank of Dafadar /Havildar, including enrolled non-combatants.            
• Navy      -  Continuous Service Ratings of the rank of Petty Officer and below, excluding  ordinary seamen and their equivalent in other branches. 
• Air Force -  Corporals and Aircraftsmen. 

For the purpose of the award, only such service as counts for pension and gratuity is taken into consideration.  

* Total number of awards to be made in each service is fixed by the Government from time to time. A gratuity of Rs. 100/-  

* 4 for 800 men on the authorized establishment of the respective service.