Archive · 15 Aug 2026
CRPF tops with highest gallantry, service medals on Independence Day
India celebrates its Independence Day on August 15, and this year marks the 80th celebration.
Before the big day, the government gives special medals to brave people who protect the country.
The CRPF, India's largest paramilitary force, received the most medals among central paramilitary forces this year — 86 in total.
Some medals are for bravery, meaning people did something very courageous.
Others are for many years of hard and honest service.
The bravery medals were earned while stopping dangerous groups in Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur in 2024.
The government also gave bravery medals to thousands of police and fire service personnel, including many who serve in areas affected by left-wing extremism.
A leader named M Dhinakaran got a special medal for serving the force for more than thirty years.
The medals are a way of saying thank you to the people who keep India safe.
The CRPF received 86 total medals — 24 gallantry, 5 President's Medals for Distinguished Service and 57 Medals for Meritorious Service — the most among central paramilitary forces for the 80th Independence Day.
The gallantry medals were earned from two counter-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and one anti-insurgency operation in Manipur, both in 2024.
The government awarded 301 Medals of Gallantry to Police and Fire Service personnel, of which 197 went to personnel serving in the Left Wing Extremism region.
A total of 1,057 personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services were felicitated with Gallantry and Service Medals.
Deputy Inspector General M Dhinakaran, who heads the CRPF Recruit Training Centre in Avadi, Chennai, was among the PSM awardees for over three decades of distinguished service.
- Who
- The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), India's largest paramilitary force, along with personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Correctional Services.
- What
- The CRPF received the highest number of gallantry and service medals — 86 in total — among central paramilitary forces for the 80th Independence Day, as announced via a Ministry of Home Affairs notification.
- When
- Announced on Friday, August 14, ahead of the 80th Independence Day on August 15.
- Where
- India — announced in New Delhi; the gallantry medals were earned from operations in Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur.
- Why
- To honor gallantry in counter-terrorist and anti-insurgency operations in 2024 and long, distinguished service by CRPF personnel.
- Force with most medals
- CRPF — 86 total
- Gallantry medals (CRPF)
- 24
- President's Medals for Distinguished Service (CRPF)
- 5
- Medals for Meritorious Service (CRPF)
- 57
- Total gallantry medals awarded
- 301, of which 197 for the Left Wing Extremism region
- Total personnel felicitated
- 1,057 across Police, Fire, HG&CD and Correctional Services
- Operations behind gallantry medals
- 2 counter-terrorist ops in Jammu and Kashmir, 1 anti-insurgent op in Manipur (2024)
- Border Security Force medals
- 20 gallantry + 47 service medals
