India Confers Gallantry and Service Medals to 982 Personnel on 77th Republic Day
New Delhi, January 25, 2026 – In a significant announcement on the eve of India's 77th Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs has revealed that 982 personnel from various police, fire, and correctional services will be honored with gallantry and service medals. These awards acknowledge acts of valor, distinguished service, and noteworthy contributions to law enforcement, countering extremism, and ensuring public safety across the country.
The medals are divided into three main categories: the Medal for Gallantry (GM) for notable acts of bravery, the President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) for outstanding service records, and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) for dedicated contributions to duty. The distribution includes 125 GMs, 101 PSMs, and 756 MSMs. Among the gallantry medals, 121 went to police officers, and 4 were awarded to members of fire services, highlighting the dangerous environments these personnel often face.
A substantial number of the gallantry awards—45 in total—were awarded to personnel involved in operations in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the ongoing challenges in combating terrorism and maintaining security there. This was followed by 35 awards for efforts in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 40 for other regions, and 5 for the North-East. The Jammu and Kashmir Police received the highest number of GMs, at 33, followed by Maharashtra Police with 31, Uttar Pradesh Police with 18, Delhi Police with 14, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) with 12.
Among those recognized posthumously from Maharashtra are Late Sudhakar Bitaji Veladi, Naik Police Constable, and Late Kare Irpa Atram, Police Constable, both honored for their ultimate sacrifice in anti-Naxal operations. Other notable recipients include Ms. Tanushree, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police from Jammu and Kashmir, who received her first Bar to the GM, and Safeer Lone, Constable from the same force, awarded his third Bar to the GM, reflecting repeated acts of bravery. In the fire services category, individuals from Karnataka and Rajasthan were awarded for their life-saving efforts under hazardous conditions.
The PSM and MSM categories represent a wide range of service excellence. High-ranking officers such as Shri Ravi Manohara Karamcheti Tirumala Chary, Assistant Superintendent of Police from Andhra Pradesh, and Dr. Mohd Haseeb Mughal, Deputy Inspector General from Jammu and Kashmir, are among those recognized, acknowledging their long-term dedication and leadership in various operational contexts.
Focusing on southern India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have shown significant representation among the awardees. Telangana received 15 medals in the police service category alone (1 GM, 2 PSMs, and 12 MSMs), with additional awards in fire services (3 MSMs), home guards and civil defence (3 MSMs), and correctional services (2 MSMs). The sole GM from Telangana was awarded to Marri Venkat Reddy, Head Constable, for exceptional bravery. PSMs were awarded to Shri Manda G S Prakash Rao, Additional Superintendent of Police, and Shri Annu Damodar Reddy, Sub Inspector. The MSM awardees from Telangana's police service include:
- Smt. Badugula Sumathi, Inspector General
- Shri Pagunta Venkat Ramulu, Commandant
- Shri Moghilicherla Shankar, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Attluri Bhanu Murthy, Senior Commandant
- Shri K V M Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Shri C Vamsi Mohan Reddy, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Smt. Thummala Laxmi, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Burra Yellaiah, Sub Inspector
- Shri V Purushotham Reddy, Sub Inspector
- Shri Syed Abdul Kareem, Sub Inspector
- Shri Boddu Anandam, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Paili Manohar, Head Constable
Andhra Pradesh earned 16 medals in police services (1 PSM and 15 MSMs) and 3 MSMs in correctional services. The PSM was awarded to Shri Ravi Manohara Karamcheti Tirumala Chary, Assistant Superintendent of Police. The MSM recipients from Andhra Pradesh's police service are:
- Shri Vikrama Rao Kamavarapu, Sub Inspector
- Shri Krishna Mohan Singala, Additional Superintendent of Police
- Shri Narasimha Rao Kundeti, Inspector/Armr
- Shri Siva Reddy Rayapu, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Srinivasa Reddy Chinnaavula, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Rangaiah Galla, Head Constable
- Shri Jayaram Katari, Armed Police Sub Inspector
- Shri Gangadhara Rao Madasu, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Narasimhulu Kalidevi, Head Constable
- Shri Venkatakrishna Muneswara Rao Eatha, Armed Police Sub Inspector
- Shri Abraham Annaladasu, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Rama Krishna Koppisetti, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Venkatasesha Naga Mallikarjuna Rao Polavarapu, Assistant Commandant
- Shri Shaik Shafi Ulla, Sub Inspector
- Shri Rama Rao Karajada, Assistant Commandant
These honors not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce the commitment of security forces to national integrity and public welfare.
The medals will be formally presented during Republic Day ceremonies, serving as a testament to the sacrifices and professionalism of India's internal security apparatus.
