Nao Sena Medal is the gallantry award issued for the men in Indian Navy who have served individual acts of devotion to duty or courage which is especially significant for Indian Navy. The medal which is equivalent with the Sena Medal for Indian Army was initially structured in a pentagonal silver medal with concaved edges which was never issued and later on altered into a circular silver dial with 35mm in diameter. The medal bears a sign of naval crest (a naval crown) on the obverse and is suspended by an ornate straight bar which carries the name and date on the edge. On the reverse side originally it consisted of a trident which is pointed upward, within a loop of rope. In 1951 it was altered and the new form consisted of crossed anchors surrounded by chain cables. At the top Nao Sena Medal is engraved in Hindi. The medal is suspended with a ribbon which is 32mm in width, dark blue on the edge with 2mm white strip at the centre which divides it as 15mm dark blue on the right, 2mm white at the centre, and 15mm on the left.

Nao Sena Medal has been one of the most honorary awards of Indian Navy which is awarded to the naval personals only who has delivered acts of valour and courage at the face of the enemy. This had been one of the gallantry awards which is both a peacetime as well as wartime award marked for courage. Like other medals of the same category this medal too includes the naval personals of all ranks who receive allowance of Rs 250 per month from the central government. Like other medals it too carries the advantage of adding a new bar to the medal with every action of bravery.

Thus Nao Sena Medal is among other gallantry award is one award for Indian Navy exclusively which came into action since 1960.