Independence Day 2026: 1,057 personnel awarded Gallantry and Service medals; three posthumously
Of the 1,057 awards, 301 awards are related to the Medal for Gallantry, 92 for President's Medal for Distinguished Service.
On Independence Day, 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that a total of 1,057 personnel from various departments including Police, Fire, Home Guard, Civil Defence, and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals. Among the honorees, three police personnel from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh Police received Gallantry Medals posthumously: Nitesh Ekka and Ramesh Koreti from Chhattisgarh Police, and Sunil Kumar from Uttar Pradesh Police.
The awards were categorized into three types: 301 Medal for Gallantry, 92 President's Medal for Distinguished Service, and 664 Medal for Meritorious Service. Most of the Gallantry awards, 197, were given to personnel from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, while 51 were awarded to individuals from Jammu and Kashmir, 12 from the North-East, and 41 from other regions.
The Medal for Gallantry is bestowed for conspicuous acts of bravery in saving lives, property, preventing crime, or apprehending criminals, considering the inherent risks. Out of the 301 Gallantry awards, 272 were given to police personnel and 29 to fire service personnel. The Medal for Gallantry is awarded for exceptional bravery, while the President's Medal for Distinguished Service recognizes outstanding service records, and the Medal for Meritorious Service honors valuable contributions characterized by resourcefulness and commitment to duty.
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