Awarded to civilians to recognize acts of lifesaving, including cases of drowning, fire, or mine accidents "for conspicuous courage under circumstances of very danger of grave bodily injury to the rescue." The only cases in which members of the armed forces, police, or fire services can be awarded the medal is when such acts take place outside the course of their duty. The medal may be awarded posthumously and subsequent awards are recognized by the addition of a bar to the medal ribbon.

Like many other Indian awards, the Jeevan Rakash Padak was originally established as a part of a three-class decoration, the Jeevan Rakash Padak in 1961. The third class of this award was renamed at the Jeevan Raksha Padak in 19??. This act, however, resulted in no alteration in the design of this class of the decoration and the precise award can only be determined from the records.

Established: By the President of India, 30 September 1961, as the "Jeevan Raksha Padak, Class III." Statutes revised and decoration renamed ???.

Obverse: A 58-mm circular bronze medal with, in the center, a hand in the Abhai Mudra and, above "Ma Bhai" and below "???" or "Jevan Rakash Padak".

Reverse: The state emblem.

Ribbon: 32 mm red with light blue edge stripes and a three green center stripes; 4 mm light blue, ?? mm red, 1 mm green, 4 mm red, 1 mm green, 4 mm red, 1 mm green, ?? mm red, ?? mm red, 4 mm light blue. These colors are said to symbolize fire (red), water (blue), and life (green).

Outline:

• Jeevan Rakash Padak, Class Three (1961-19??) - this badge is the same as that which follows and the precise award can only be determined from the records

• Jeevan Raksha Padak (19??--) - this badge is the same as than which precedes and the precise award can only be determined from the records