Awarded to those members of the home guards, civil defense, and mobile civil defense emergence forces who have performed acts of exceptional courage and skill. Subsequent acts of similar bravery may be recognized by the addition of a bar to the medal ribbon. It is unclear whether posthumous awards are possible.

Established: 7 October 1974, by the President of India (with effect from 15 August 1974).

Obverse: A circular 35-mm silver medal, bearing the state emblem and motto in gilt and, below, the emblem of the Home Guards, surrounding it the legends in Hindi "Rashtrapati ka Grih Rakash wa Nagarik Suraksha Padak" or "President's Home Guards and Civil Defense Medal" and "PRESIDENT'S HOME GUARDS AND CIVIL DEFENCE MEDAL". The medal is named on the rim.

Reverse: The chakra of Ashoka in the center, surrounded by the legend "Vitra" or "Gallantry" and "GALLANTRY".

Ribbon: 32 mm, black with a white center, these stripes are separated by thin saffron-orange stripes; 8 mm black, 4 mm saffron orange, 8 mm white, 4 mm saffron orange, 8 mm black. The same ribbon seems to be used both for gallantry and distinguished service