India Set to Introduce National Police Flag Day on October 21 to Honour Police Personnel

India is set to introduce its first nationwide Police Flag Day on October 21, bringing personnel from central and state police forces together in a formal tribute to those who risk their lives to protect the country’s internal security. The Union Home Ministry is expected to notify the new protocol in the coming days, officials said on Sunday.

The proposed observance will honour both serving police personnel and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Although some states have held Police Flag Day events independently, there has been no uniform national observance bringing together the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and state police forces.

Officials said the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB have been directed to observe the day and distribute Police Flag Day stickers on October 21. The initiative is intended to recognise the sacrifices of police personnel and strengthen public awareness of their contribution to national security.

October 21 is already observed as National Police Commemoration Day, marking the death of 10 Central Reserve Police Force personnel who were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops on October 21, 1959, in the Hot Spring area of Ladakh while defending India’s borders.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to lead the national observance by laying a wreath at the National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. A joint contingent of central armed police forces will also present a march past at the memorial.

The programme will form part of a series of events planned by the CAPFs from October 21 to October 31 at Kevadia in Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate in the observances marking National Unity Day. Celebrated on October 31, the day commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first deputy prime minister and home minister.

The proposed Police Flag Day draws a parallel with Armed Forces Flag Day, observed across India on December 7 since 1949 to honour the armed forces and recognise their service. Stickers associated with the observance are traditionally distributed among personnel, students and members of the public.

If formally notified, the new national observance would establish a common platform to recognise the service, courage and sacrifices of police personnel across the country.