The Indian Independence Medal was instituted by the Dominion of India and approved by King George VI by way of a Royal Warrant dated 21 July 1948.

[3] It was a commemorative medal for service with the Indian armed forces at the time of independence in August 1947.

The obverse has the Ashoka Chakra wheel surmounted by a Tudor Crown, surrounded by the inscription GEORGIUS VI D:G: BRITT:OMN: REX: FID DEF.

The reverse shows the Ashoka lions, which is the State Emblem of India, with the words INDIAN INDEPENDENCE above and the date 15th AUGUST 1947 below.

The 1.25 in (32 mm) ribbon consists of three equal stripes of saffron, white and green, the colours on the flag of India.