Even before the Indian Air Force was formed, Indian Aviators like Indra Lal Roy and S Welingkar made thier mark in the Royal Flying Corps and the later Royal Air Force. The British Empire even honoured these pioneer Aviators with the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Military Cross.

Right from the year 1933 to the advent of Indpendence, All the IAF members were eligible for the British system of Honours and Awards. They were eligible like their counterparts of the IAF to be awarded the VC, DSO, DFC and other awards as might have been appropriate.

After Independence, India Instituted its Gallantry awards when it turned a Republic in 1950. Following the British Pattern of Awards. Prior to Independence, the highest decoration an Indian could get in the British Empire was the Victoria Cross awarded for exemplary gallantry in the face of battle. Now Free India constituted its own award. Foremost in precedence was the Awards in the face of the enemy, The Param Vir Chakra, followed by the Maha Vir Chakra and the Vir Chakra. At the same time, there were the Awards granted for bravery and courage away from the battle front. The Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra. These awards can be made to any member of the armed forces as well as civilians in the war effort. A Seperate range of decorations were instituted for Service and Leadership during wartime. These were the Vishist Seva Medals which were also awarded during peacetime for distinguished service. to remove confusion between both, In 1981, the Yudh Seva Medals were instituted.