Archive · 15 Aug 2026
Odisha ADGP Sanjeeb Panda among 17 personnel awarded police medals
India celebrates its Independence Day every year to remember when the country became free.
On this special day, the government also gives out medals to honor brave police officers.
These medals say thank you for their courage and hard work.
This year, 17 police officers from Odisha, a state in India, received these medals.
Five officers got the Medal for Gallantry, which is given for brave actions like saving lives or catching criminals.
Ten officers got the Medal for Meritorious Service, which honors outstanding work on the job.
Two top officers, ADGP Sanjeeb Panda and DSP Smitarani Mohanty, were chosen for the President's Medal for Distinguished Service.
The leader of Odisha Police, DGP Y B Khurania, congratulated all the medal winners and their families.
Across the whole country, 1,057 police and other safety personnel received medals this year.
Seventeen Odisha police personnel, including ADGP Sanjeeb Panda and DSP Smitarani Mohanty, were awarded for their service.
Five personnel received the Medal for Gallantry, awarded for conspicuous acts of gallantry in saving life and property or preventing crime.
Ten personnel received the Medal for Meritorious Service.
ADGP Panda and DSP Mohanty were named for the President's Medal for Distinguished Service for exceptionally illustrious service.
The medals were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs on Independence Day 2026; 1,057 personnel nationwide received Gallantry and Service Medals.
- Who
- 17 Odisha police personnel, including ADGP Sanjeeb Panda, DSP Smitarani Mohanty, and five named Gallantry Medal recipients
- What
- Awarded the Medal for Gallantry, the Medal for Meritorious Service and the President's Medal for Distinguished Service
- When
- Announced on the occasion of Independence Day 2026; reported on Friday, August 14
- Where
- Odisha, India (announcement reported from Bhubaneswar)
- Why
- In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in saving life and property or preventing crime, and of meritorious and distinguished service
- Total Odisha awardees
- 17 police personnel
- Medal for Gallantry recipients
- 5 personnel, including SI Manmath Kumar Mohapatra, Havildar Nirakar Bhue and Commandos Santosh Gurung, Suman Pun and Suresh Chandra Puta
- Medal for Meritorious Service recipients
- 10 personnel
- President's Medal for Distinguished Service
- ADGP Sanjeeb Panda and DSP Smitarani Mohanty
- Announcing body
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Occasion
- Independence Day 2026
- National total
- 1,057 personnel across police, fire, home guard & civil defence and correctional services
- Odisha DGP
- Y B Khurania
