Independence Day 2026: India Honours 1,057 Personnel With Gallantry, Service Medals
India honoured 1,057 personnel from the Police, Fire Services, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services with Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2026, recognising extraordinary courage, distinguished leadership, and unwavering commitment to public safety. The awards were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The honours include 301 Medals for Gallantry (GM), 92 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM), and 664 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM). Together, the service medals account for 756 recognitions, celebrating long-term excellence alongside acts of bravery.
The Gallantry Medal* is awarded for conspicuous courage in saving lives and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals despite significant personal risk. Of the 301 recipients, *272 are police personnel* and *29 belong to Fire Services
The regional distribution highlights India’s most demanding operational theatres. Left Wing Extremism-affected areas contributed 197 awardees, the highest nationwide, followed by 51 from Jammu & Kashmir, 12 from the North-East, and 41 from other regions. Nearly two-thirds of all gallantry honours went to personnel serving in LWE-affected regions, underscoring the intensity of internal security operations
Among service awards, the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service was presented to 83 police, 4 fire, 3 Civil Defence & Home Guard, and 2 correctional personnel. Meanwhile, the Medal for Meritorious Service recognised 6 06 police, 28 fire, 18 Civil Defence & Home Guard, and 12 correctional personnel.
Police personnel received the overwhelming majority of honours, reflecting their extensive role in law enforcement, counter-insurgency, disaster response, and public security. The Independence Day awards reaffirm the nation’s gratitude toward frontline personnel whose bravery, professionalism, and dedication continue to safeguard communities across diverse and challenging environments. Officials said the honours recognise personnel whose service strengthened national resilience across policing, firefighting, civil defence, disaster preparedness, and prison administration. The award lists also include state-wise and force-wise recipients, ensuring recognition extends from metropolitan police units to remote operational formations protecting vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure. Their achievements reinforce public trust while inspiring generations of dedicated national protectors