The medal was awarded in silver to soldiers of the
British and
Indian armies, and in bronze to native
bearers and servants. The obverse shows the profile of Queen Victoria or, for those awarded the medal with the Waziristan 1901–02 clasp, King Edward VII, both with a suitable inscription.The reverse, designed by
G. W. de Saulles, portrays a British and an Indian soldier together carrying a standard with the inscription "India 1895", although the Edward VII version omits the date. The name and details of the recipient were engraved on the edge of the medal, normally in running script. ==Clasps==