New Delhi, January 25, 2026 – On the eve of India’s 77th Republic Day, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the conferment of gallantry and service medals to 982 personnel from various police forces, fire services, home guards, civil defence organisations, and correctional services across the nation. This prestigious recognition highlights acts of bravery, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions in maintaining law and order, combating extremism, and ensuring public safety.
The awards are categorised into three primary types: the Medal for Gallantry (GM), awarded for conspicuous acts of bravery; the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), recognising exceptional records in service; and the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM), honouring valuable contributions marked by devotion to duty. The breakdown includes 125 GMs, 101 PSMs, and 756 MSMs. Of the gallantry medals, 121 were awarded to police personnel and 4 to fire service members, underscoring the risks undertaken in high-threat environments.
A significant portion of the gallantry awards—45 in total—were conferred upon personnel involved in operations in the Jammu and Kashmir region, reflecting the ongoing challenges in counter-terrorism and security maintenance. This was followed by 35 awards for efforts in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, 40 for other regions, and 5 for the North-East. Among the forces, the Jammu and Kashmir Police received the highest number of GMs at 33, with Maharashtra Police close behind at 31, Uttar Pradesh Police at 18, Delhi Police at 14, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) at 12.
Notable among the gallantry recipients are two posthumous awards to personnel from Maharashtra: Late Sudhakar Bitaji Veladi, Naik Police Constable, and Late Kare Irpa Atram, Police Constable, both honoured for their supreme sacrifice in anti-Naxal operations. Other distinguished awardees include Ms. Tanushree, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police from Jammu and Kashmir, who received her first Bar to the GM, and Safeer Lone, Constable from the same force, awarded his third Bar to the GM, indicating repeated acts of valour. In the fire services category, awards went to personnel from Karnataka and Rajasthan for life-saving efforts in hazardous conditions.
The PSM and MSM categories encompass a broad spectrum of service excellence. For instance, the PSM list features high-ranking officers such as Shri Ravi Manohara Karamcheti Tirumala Chary, Assistant Superintendent of Police from Andhra Pradesh, and Dr. Mohd Haseeb Mughal, Deputy Inspector General from Jammu and Kashmir. These awards acknowledge long-term dedication and leadership in diverse operational contexts.
In a region-specific highlight relevant to southern India, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have seen commendable representation among the awardees. Telangana received a total of 15 medals in the police service category alone (1 GM, 2 PSMs, and 12 MSMs), with additional recognitions in fire services (3 MSMs), home guards and civil defence (3 MSMs), and correctional services (2 MSMs). The sole GM from Telangana was awarded to Marri Venkat Reddy, Head Constable, for exemplary bravery. The PSMs went to Shri Manda G S Prakash Rao, Additional Superintendent of Police, and Shri Annu Damodar Reddy, Sub Inspector. The MSM recipients from Telangana’s police service include:
- Smt. Badugula Sumathi, Inspector General
- Shri Pagunta Venkat Ramulu, Commandant
- Shri Moghilicherla Shankar, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Attluri Bhanu Murthy, Senior Commandant
- Shri K V M Prasad, Deputy Commissioner of Police
- Shri C Vamsi Mohan Reddy, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Smt. Thummala Laxmi, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Burra Yellaiah, Sub Inspector
- Shri V Purushotham Reddy, Sub Inspector
- Shri Syed Abdul Kareem, Sub Inspector
- Shri Boddu Anandam, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Paili Manohar, Head Constable
Andhra Pradesh secured 16 medals in police services (1 PSM and 15 MSMs) and 3 MSMs in correctional services. The PSM was awarded to Shri Ravi Manohara Karamcheti Tirumala Chary, Assistant Superintendent of Police. The MSM awardees from Andhra Pradesh’s police service are:
- Shri Vikrama Rao Kamavarapu, Sub Inspector
- Shri Krishna Mohan Singala, Additional Superintendent of Police
- Shri Narasimha Rao Kundeti, Inspector/Armr
- Shri Siva Reddy Rayapu, Deputy Superintendent of Police
- Shri Srinivasa Reddy Chinnaavula, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Rangaiah Galla, Head Constable
- Shri Jayaram Katari, Armed Police Sub Inspector
- Shri Gangadhara Rao Madasu, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Narasimhulu Kalidevi, Head Constable
- Shri Venkatakrishna Muneswara Rao Eatha, Armed Police Sub Inspector
- Shri Abraham Annaladasu, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Rama Krishna Koppisetti, Assistant Sub Inspector
- Shri Venkatasesha Naga Mallikarjuna Rao Polavarapu, Assistant Commandant
- Shri Shaik Shafi Ulla, Sub Inspector
- Shri Rama Rao Karajada, Assistant Commandant
These honours not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce the commitment of security forces to national integrity and public welfare.
The medals will be formally presented during Republic Day ceremonies, serving as a testament to the sacrifices and professionalism of India’s internal security apparatus.
