The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued its announcement regarding the prestigious Gallantry and Service Medals honoring 1,057 distinguished recipients across the nation to mark the historic 80th Independence Day of India, 2026.
This list comprises indomitable souls from the Police, Fire Services, Home Guard and Civil Defence (HG&CD) and Correctional Services institutions. The awardees are recognized for their brave acts, professionalism and dedication to their duties.
The Gallantry and Service Medals 2026
According to the official announcement made by the MHA, the 1,057 honours are split into 301 Gallantry Medals for acts of bravery and 756 Service Medals for distinguished and meritorious records.
1. Medal for Gallantry (GM): 301 Recipients
The Gallantry Medal is given for exceptional courage of the person, whether helping people, protecting property, fighting against crime or catching criminals, and bearing in mind the threats to life of the officers engaged in this activity.
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Police Officers: 272
Fire Fighters: 29
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Distribution of Gallantry Medals by Region:
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LWE Affected Regions: 197 people
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Jammu & Kashmir Region: 51 people
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North East Region: 12 people
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Other Regions: 41 people
2. Service Medals: 756 Recipients
Service Medals are categorized into two top categories based on the long-term sick experience of service and professionalism:
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President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM): 92 recipients. This award is to recognize people with outstanding records in public service.
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Police Departments: 83
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Fire Fighters: 4
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Civil Defence: 3
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Correctional facilities: 2
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Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM): 664 recipients, given for quality service and great commitment to the work.
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Police Department: 606
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Fire Department: 28
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Civil Defence: 18
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Correctional Facilities: 12
Service-Wise Quick Reference Table
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Category of Medal
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Police Service
|
Fire Service
|
Civil Defence & Home Guard
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Correctional Service
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Total
|
|
Gallantry Medal (GM)
|
272
|
29
|
0
|
0
|
301
|
|
President's Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM)
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83
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
92
|
|
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM)
|
606
|
28
|
18
|
12
|
664
|
|
Total
|
961
|
61
|
21
|
14
|
1,057
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What do the Gallantry Awards Mean?
Gallantry and service awards in India can broadly be classified into military decorations which are decorations given to the armed forces and service and police medals which are decorations given to police for internal security, fire services and civil defense. Under the scheme of the Home Ministry. These medals are divided into various types of gallantry and service awards based on types of bravery and service:
1. Gallantry Awards (For valor and courage)
Medal of Gallantry (PMG) / Gallantry Medal (GM): Given to the police and fire department personnel as well as civil defense and prison service personnel in recognition of their acts of valor by saving lives and property while being exposed to great risks.
Military gallantry awards during the war: These include Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which is India's highest military award given for bravery in the war, Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) and Vir Chakra.
2. Military gallantry awards during peacetime: These include Ashoka Chakra, which is India's highest peacetime gallantry medal, Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, which are honored for bravery in non-combat missions like counter terrorism operations.
3. Service and Distinction Medals
President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM). This medal is awarded for an exceptional, highly distinguished record of long-term service in the field of security or emergency forces.
Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM). This medal is awarded for valued long-term service showing ingenuity, systemic excellence, and dedication to work.
Official Source and Access to Complete Information
Ministry of Home Affairs has released the complete state-wise, force-wise and individual awardee lists. Citizens and aspirants can look for specific awardees on the official website of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Check the official MHA website or visit the central government’s official awards portal gallantryawards.gov.in
FAQ's
Q1. How many gallantry awards are there?
Ans. India maintains a total of six gallantry awards known officially which are split into war and peace time gallantry awards and there are special service and police awards as well which include (301 Medals of Gallantry) which is given to police and security personnel.
Q2. What are the 6 gallantry awards?
Ans. These gallantry medals are divided into two major categories:
a. Wartime Gallantry Award:
i. Param Vir Chakra - It is the highest gallantry award of India for bravery shown against the enemy.
ii. Maha Vir Chakra - It is awarded just after Param Vir Chakra and
ii. Vir Chakra is awarded Third after the above two medals.
b. Peacetime Gallantry Medal:
iv. Ashoka Chakra - It is awarded for valor when there is no war going on.
v. Kirti Chakra - It is awarded second in the line of Peacetime Gallantry medals.
vi. Shaurya Chakra - It is given third in the Peacetime Awards timeline.
Q 3. . Which gallantry awards were announced on Republic Day, 26 January 2026?
Ans. On Republic Day of the year 2026, the President of India granted gallantry awards to 70 armed forces personnel which included some prestigious accolades such as Ashoka Chakra (awarded to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla), various Kirti Chakras and Shaurya Chakras as well as several Sena, Nao Sena, and Vayu Sena Medals.
Q4. Who are the latest gallantry award winners?
Ans. The most recent gallantry awards were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Independence Day, August 14, 2026 for 1057 people in total (including 301 of Medals for Gallantry mainly for police and paramilitary forces). The newest list of the military gallantry awards also includes the most recent recipients of Kirti Chakra (including Havildar Gajendra Singh posthumously) and Shaurya Chakra and other defense service medals awarded during the same period.