A total of 982 personnel were awarded gallantry and service medals on the eve of Republic Day 2026. The Jammu and Kashmir Police has received the highest number of gallantry medals at 33, according to an official statement.

A total of 982 personnel from the police, fire department, home guards and civil defence (HG&CD) and correctional services were awarded gallantry and service medals on the eve of Republic Day 2026. According to a statement issued by the government on Sunday (January 25, 2026), a total of 125 persons will be awarded the gallantry medal (GM), of which 121 are from the police force and 4 others from the fire services.

The Gallantry Medal (GM) is awarded for acts of exceptional gallantry which have been instrumental in saving life and property, preventing crime or apprehending criminals, after assessing the risk involved, taking into account the duties and responsibilities of the officer concerned.

Jammu and Kashmir gets the highest number of gallantry medals at 45
Out of the 125 gallantry awards, 35 personnel are from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 45 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir region, 5 personnel from North-East and 40 personnel from other regions are being honoured for their gallant actions. Personnel deployed in the theatre of operations in Jammu and Kashmir have been awarded the highest number of gallantry medals at 45, followed by 35 personnel from Naxal violence affected areas and 5 personnel deployed in North-East region

According to the details given in the official statement, the Jammu and Kashmir Police has been awarded the highest number of gallantry medals with 33, followed by Maharashtra Police with 31, Uttar Pradesh Police with 18 and Delhi Police with 14. The CRPF is the only force among the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to have received gallantry citations with 12 medals.

A total of 982 personnel have
been awarded the President's Distinguished Service Medal (PSM) for exceptionally distinguished service and the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) for valuable service characterised by resourcefulness and devotion to duty. According to the press release, the President's Medal (PSM) is awarded for exceptionally distinguished service while the Meritorious Service Award is given for outstanding contribution to service. 125 personnel have been awarded the Gallantry Medal (GM), 101 the President's Medal (PSM) and 756 the Distinguished Service Medal (MSM).

PC:ABPNews