[1] The 1936 IGSM was awarded for minor military campaigns on the North-West Frontier of India between 1936 and 1939.

[3] Recipients of a Mention in Despatches were entitled to wear an oak leaf emblem on the ribbon.

The medal is silver, 36 millimetres (1.4 in) in diameter, and has the following design:[1]The obverse shows the crowned head of King George VI facing left with the inscription 'GEORGIVS VI D: G: OMN; REX ET INDIAE IMP:'.The reverse depicts a side view of a tiger standing astride a mountain range with the word 'INDIA' above.The 32 mm (1.3 in) wide ribbon is grey flanked by narrow red stripes, with broad green stripes at the edges Medals were impressed on the edge with the name and details of the recipient.

The medal was struck at both the Calcutta and London mints, for Indian and British forces respectively.

[2] The claw mount attaching the medal disc to the suspension differs between the two, the Calcutta Mint version being of a plain curved style, while London made medals are of a more elaborate raised scroll type:[1]