The Commendation Cards of the Indian Army are awarded by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) or General Officer Commanding-in Chiefs (GOC-in-C) of the Indian Army for acts of gallantry, distinguished service, or devotion to duty.

The Chief of the Army Staff has approved of the award of Commendation Cards for gallantry and distinguished service.

The Commendation Card will be awarded for individual acts of gallantry or distinguished service or devotion to duty performed either in operation or non-operational areas which are not of a sufficiently high order to qualify for a higher gallantry award or for which the higher award is inappropriate.

In this connection the unit concerned will be responsible for taking action as under:- (a) Initiating casualty return in respect of officers for publication in the Part II orders, (b) publishing Part II Orders in respect of JCOs/OR/NCs(E) serving in non-operational areas; and

The Commendation cards are occasionally awarded to non-Army personnel and civilians, who usually have worked under the supervision, direction and control of the army.