1,057 police, fire, home guard and correctional personnel get gallantry and service medals on Independence Day 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 14 August 2026 that 1,057 personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded gallantry and service medals for Independence Day 2026, including 301 Medals for Gallantry.
Summary
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced on 14 August 2026 that 1,057 personnel of Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services have been awarded gallantry and service medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2026. These include 301 Medals for Gallantry (272 police and 29 fire service), 92 President's Medals for Distinguished Service and 664 Medals for Meritorious Service. Of the gallantry medals, 197 went to personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 51 from the Jammu & Kashmir region, 12 from the North-East and 41 from other regions.
Key facts
- Total
- 1,057 personnel
- Medal for Gallantry
- 301 (272 police, 29 fire)
- President's Medal for Distinguished Service
- 92
- Medal for Meritorious Service
- 664
- Gallantry by region
- LWE 197; J&K 51; North-East 12; others 41
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How many Medals for Gallantry were awarded to police and fire service personnel on Independence Day 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 301
A total of 301 Medals for Gallantry were awarded, 272 to police and 29 to fire service personnel, out of 1,057 medals overall.
Consider the following statements about the Independence Day 2026 police and service medals: 1. The largest share of Medals for Gallantry went to personnel from the Jammu & Kashmir region. 2. 664 Medals for Meritorious Service were awarded. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. The largest share of gallantry medals, 197 of 301, went to personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas; J&K accounted for 51.