By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM|New Delhi: A total of 1,057 personnel from Police, Fire Service, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Correctional Services have been selected for Gallantry and distinguished and meritorious service medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2026.

The awards recognise courage, dedication, professionalism and sustained commitment to public service. The medal list released by the Ministry of Home Affairs covers personnel from States, Union Territories and various Central Armed Police Forces and other security organisations.

The awards comprise 301 Medals for Gallantry (GM), 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 664 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM).

Madhya Pradesh receives recognition

Madhya Pradesh has secured a significant place in this year’s Police Service medal list, with 20 personnel being recognised for distinguished and meritorious service.

The state has received four President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 16 Medals for Meritorious Service. No Gallantry Medal has been awarded to Madhya Pradesh Police in the 2026 list.

The four President’s Medals for Distinguished Service have been awarded to Dharmvir Singh, Superintendent of Police; Sunil Kumar Pandey, Deputy Inspector General; Anil Kumar Bhadauria, Inspector; and Raj Lochan Prasad Dubey, Constable.

The 16 Madhya Pradesh Police personnel selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service are Simala Prasad, Deputy Inspector General; Yashpal Singh Rajput, Superintendent of Police; Vijay Kumar Bhagwani, Superintendent of Police; Harnarayan Jaiswal, Inspector; Vijay Chaudhary, Inspector; Amit Jain, Inspector; Anita Kadam, Inspector; Rajni Tiwari, Inspector; Dinesh Chand Nagar, Assistant Sub Inspector; Bhaskar Pratap Singh, Head Constable; Bhag Singh Tomar, Head Constable; Santosh Kumar Nayak, Constable; Bhupendra Singh Bais, Assistant Sub Inspector; Satya Narayan Yadav, Head Constable; Santosh Kumar Parihar, Constable; and Dr. Santosh Yadav, Sub Inspector.

The recognition of personnel ranging from Deputy Inspector General and Superintendent of Police to inspectors, assistant sub inspectors, head constables, constables and a sub inspector highlights the contribution of the entire policing hierarchy to public service.

Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh among major award recipients

The national medal list reflects substantial recognition for police personnel across several states and Central organisations.

Maharashtra has received 20 Gallantry Medals, three President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 37 Medals for Meritorious Service. Uttar Pradesh has been awarded 12 Gallantry Medals, six President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 75 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Chhattisgarh has received an exceptional 141 Gallantry Medals, along with one President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 10 Medals for Meritorious Service. Andhra Pradesh has received seven Gallantry Medals, two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 14 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Other significant recognitions include Gujarat with two PSMs and 17 MSMs, Karnataka with one PSM and 17 MSMs, Tamil Nadu with three PSMs and 17 MSMs, West Bengal with one PSM and 20 MSMs, and Rajasthan with two PSMs and 14 MSMs.

Among Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir has received 38 Gallantry Medals, one President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 13 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Recognition for Central security organisations

The awards also acknowledge the contribution of Central Armed Police Forces and other organisations involved in maintaining national security and public safety.

The Border Security Force has received 20 Gallantry Medals, five President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 42 Medals for Meritorious Service. The Central Reserve Police Force has received 24 Gallantry Medals, five President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 57 Medals for Meritorious Service.

The Central Industrial Security Force has been awarded two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 22 Medals for Meritorious Service, while the Indo-Tibetan Border Police has received three PSMs and 11 MSMs.

The Intelligence Bureau has received eight President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 24 Medals for Meritorious Service. The Central Bureau of Investigation has received six PSMs and 15 MSMs.

The Railway Protection Force has also been recognised with one President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 15 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Fire Service personnel honoured

The Independence Day 2026 honours also recognise bravery and dedicated service in the Fire Service.

A total of 29 Gallantry Medals, four President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 28 Medals for Meritorious Service have been awarded to Fire Service personnel and associated organisations.

Maharashtra has received 13 Gallantry Medals, while Uttar Pradesh has received 16 Gallantry Medals and one President’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Odisha and Goa have also received President’s Medals for Distinguished Service in the Fire Service category.

Home Guard and Civil Defence recognised

The Home Guard and Civil Defence category has received three President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 18 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh have each received one President’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Personnel from several states, including Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttarakhand, have been recognised for meritorious service.

Jammu and Kashmir has also received one Medal for Meritorious Service in this category.

Correctional Services receive recognition

Correctional Services personnel have also been included in the Independence Day honours, with two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 12 Medals for Meritorious Service.

Maharashtra has received two President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and two Medals for Meritorious Service. Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Odisha and Uttarakhand have also been recognised for meritorious service.

A national tribute to public service

The Independence Day medals represent more than individual honours. They recognise the commitment of personnel who work in challenging circumstances to protect citizens, maintain public order, respond to emergencies, safeguard vital installations, strengthen national security and contribute to the functioning of the criminal justice system.

The 2026 awards bring together personnel from different services and ranks, reflecting the diverse nature of public safety and security responsibilities across the country.

For Madhya Pradesh, the award of 20 Police Service medals, including four President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 16 Medals for Meritorious Service, represents a significant recognition of the state police force.

As India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day, the honours serve as a tribute to the courage, discipline, dedication and professionalism of those who continue to serve the nation in uniform and in critical public safety institutions.

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