The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the distribution of 1057 gallantry and service medals to personnel across various security services on the occasion of Independence Day 2026. The awards include 301 Medal for Gallantry (GM), with 272 awarded to Police Personnel and 29 to Fire Service personnel. The gallantry awards were predominantly distributed to personnel from conflict-affected regions: 197 from Left Wing Extremism areas, 51 from Jammu & Kashmir region, 12 from North-East region, and 41 from other regions.
The service medals category included 92 President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), distributed as follows: 83 to Police Service, 04 to Fire Service, 03 to Civil Defence & Home Guard Service, and 02 to Correctional Service. Additionally, 664 Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) were awarded, with 606 going to Police Service, 28 to Fire Service, 18 to Civil Defence & Home Guard Service, and 12 to Correctional Service.
The comprehensive breakdown shows that Police Service received the majority of total awards (689), followed by Fire Service (32), Civil Defence & Home Guard Service (21), and Correctional Service (14). The Medal for Gallantry is awarded for conspicuous acts of gallantry in saving life and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals, while the President's Medal for Distinguished Service recognizes special distinguished service records, and the Medal for Meritorious Service acknowledges valuable service characterized by resource and devotion to duty. Detailed awardee lists are available on the Ministry's website and awards portal.