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.

A total of 1,057 personnel from the Police, Fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day, 2026 with declaration of names of three police personnel from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh Police who were honoured with Gallantry Medals posthumously, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced on Friday.

Chhattisgarh Police constables late Nitesh Ekka and late Ramesh Koreti, as well as Uttar Pradesh Police Inspector late Sunil Kumar, are among all hounoured with the gallantry medals posthumously.

Of the 1,057 awards, 301 awards are related to the Medal for Gallantry, 92 for President's Medal for Distinguished Service and 664 for Medal for Meritorious Service.

Among the majority of the 301 Gallantry awards, 197 personnel are from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 51 from the Jammu and Kashmir region, 12 from the North-East, and 41 personnel from other regions are being awarded for their gallant action.

Also Read | Delhi metro timings for Independence Day: Frequency, timetable, pre-vended QR tickets and more

Out of 301 Medals for Gallantry, 272 Police Personnel and 29 Fire Service personnel have been awarded GM, respectively. Medal for Gallantry is awarded on the ground of a conspicuous act of Gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals, the risk incurred being estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.

Also Read | Additional checks, parking near Red Fort mapped: Delhi steps up security for Independence Day

Of the total 92 President's Medals for Distinguished Service, 83 have been awarded to police service, four to fire service, three to Civil Defence and Home Guard service and two to Correctional Service. Out of 664 Medals for Meritorious Service, 606 have been awarded to police service, 28 to fire service, 18 to Civil Defence and Home Guard service and 12 to correctional service.

Also Read | Independence Day flag-hoisting guide: Dos and don’ts every Indian should know ahead of August 15

President's Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for a special distinguished record in service, and the Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded for valuable service characterised by resource and devotion to duty.