'Great Wheel of Bravery') is the second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea or in the air.

Embossed on the obverse is a five pointed heraldic star with circular center-piece bearing the gilded state emblem of India in the center.

The words "Mahavira Chakra" are embossed in Hindi and English on the reverse with two lotus flowers in the middle.

[5] More than 218 acts of bravery and selfless courage have been recognized since the inception of the medal.

The most MVCs awarded in a single conflict was in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, when eleven were given to the Indian Air Force.