A total of 1057 personnel from various services have been honored with gallantry and service medals for their exceptional work in different regions of India.
On August 14, 2026, a grand ceremony was held to honor 1057 personnel from the Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD), and Correctional Services with Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day. The medals were awarded in recognition of their exemplary acts in saving lives, properties, preventing crimes, or arresting criminals.
Out of these 1057 awards, 301 personnel received the Medal for Gallantry (GM). This award is given to individuals who display conspicuous acts of gallantry in saving lives and properties, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, with the risk incurred being estimated according to the officer's duties.
Of these 301 GM awards, 272 were presented to Police Personnel, and 29 went to Fire Service personnel. The majority of the gallantry awards (197) were given to personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, followed by 51 from Jammu & Kashmir region, 12 from North-East, and 41 from other regions.
In addition to the GM awards, President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) was awarded to 92 individuals for their special distinguished records in service. A total of 664 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) were also given out, acknowledging valuable service characterized by resource and devotion to duty.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
