Independence Day 2026: 1,057 Police, Fire and Civil Defence Personnel Win Gallantry and Service Medals

The Ministry of Home Affairs on August 14 announced 1,057 Gallantry and Service Medals for personnel from the Police, Fire Service, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and Correctional Services, ahead of Independence Day 2026.

The honours recognise three categories of service: exceptional courage in the line of duty, distinguished long-term service, and meritorious work characterised by resourcefulness and dedication. Among the awardees are three police personnel who will be recognised posthumously for gallantry: Chhattisgarh Police constables Nitesh Ekka and Ramesh Koreti, and Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector Sunil Kumar.

Of the total awards announced, 301 are Medals for Gallantry, 92 are President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 664 are Medals for Meritorious Service. The ministry said the awards reflect the contributions of personnel serving across India’s security and public safety establishments.

The 301 Gallantry Medals have been awarded to 272 police personnel and 29 members of the Fire Service. These medals are given for conspicuous acts of bravery, including saving lives and property, preventing crime or apprehending criminals, with the level of risk considered against the duties and responsibilities of the personnel concerned.

A large share of the gallantry honours has gone to personnel serving in difficult operational environments. Of the 301 recipients, 197 are from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 51 from the Jammu and Kashmir region, 12 from the North-East and 41 from other regions.

The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service has been conferred on 92 personnel. This category includes 83 from the police service, four from the Fire Service, three from Civil Defence and Home Guard services, and two from Correctional Services. The award is presented for a special and distinguished record of service, and for sustained excellence over the course of a career.

The largest share of honours this year falls under the Medal for Meritorious Service, with 664 personnel selected. Among them are 606 police personnel, 28 Fire Service personnel, 18 members of Civil Defence and Home Guard services, and 12 personnel from Correctional Services. This medal recognises valuable service marked by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.

The Independence Day honours draw attention to the work of personnel engaged in internal security, emergency response, civil protection and correctional services across the country. They also reflect the risks faced by those deployed in conflict-affected and high-risk regions, where operational demands are often greater and the consequences of failure more severe.

Coming ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations, the announcement serves as formal recognition of both frontline bravery and sustained professionalism across the country’s security and public safety services.