A total of 1,057 personnel from the police, fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and correctional services have been awarded gallantry and service medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Friday.
The awards comprise 301 Medals for Gallantry (GM), 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM) and 664 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM).
Of the 301 gallantry medals, 272 have been awarded to police personnel and 29 to fire service personnel.
Among the gallantry awardees, 197 personnel are from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 51 from Jammu and Kashmir, 12 from the Northeast and 41 from other regions.
The Medal for Gallantry is awarded for conspicuous acts of gallantry in saving life and property, preventing crime or apprehending criminals.
Of the 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service, 83 have been awarded to police personnel, four to fire service personnel, three to Civil Defence and Home Guard personnel and two to correctional service personnel.
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for a special and distinguished record in service.
A total of 664 Medals for Meritorious Service have also been awarded, including 606 to police personnel, 28 to fire service personnel, 18 to Civil Defence and Home Guard personnel and 12 to correctional service personnel.
The medal recognises valuable service marked by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.
The Ministry has also released state-wise and force-wise lists of the awardees.
