India honours 1,090 personnel with Gallantry & Service Medals on I-Day

Ahead of the country’s 79th Independence Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that 1,090 personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services have been honoured with Gallantry and Service Medals this year. Among the honourees, 233 were presented with the prestigious Medal for Gallantry (GM), recognised for acts of exceptional courage in saving lives, protecting property, curbing crime, or apprehending offenders—even at great personal risk. This breakdown includes 226 from the Police Service, six from the Fire Service, and one from Home Guard & Civil Defence. Significantly, these awards span challenging operational environments, with 54 recipients from Left-Wing Extremism affected zones, 152 from Jammu & Kashmir, three from the North-East, and 24 from other regions.

Service medals underscored dedicated service and distinguishable record. Ninety-nine personnel received the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM). Of these, 89 belonged to the Police Service, five to the Fire Service, three to Civil Defence & Home Guard, and two to Correctional Services. In recognition of sustained devotion and impactful contributions, the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) was awarded to 758 individuals—635 from Police Service, 51 from Fire Service, 41 from Civil Defence & Home Guard, and 31 from Correctional Services.