The name of the award translates as the "Wheel of the Ultimate Brave". The medal is a circular bronze disc 35 millimetres (1+3⁄8 inches) in diameter. On the Overse, or front, the National Emblem of India appears in the centre on a raised circle surrounded by four copies of the vajra, the weapon of Indra, the ancient Vedic king of the gods. The motif symbolizes the sacrifice of Rishi Dadhichi, who gave his bones to the gods to make the vajra to kill the demon Vritra The medal is suspended from a straight-swiveling suspension bar. 

On the reverse, around a plain centre, are two legends separated by lotus flowers. The words "Param Vir Chakra" are written in Hindi and English. A purple ribbon, 32 millimetres (1+1⁄4 in) long, holds the Param Vir Chakra.