Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 Goes to 490 Personnel

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has named 490 police and security personnel as recipients of the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for the year 2026. Those honoured serve in the states, the Union Territories, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the Central Police Organisations (CPOs).

Why the names come out on 31 October

The list is released on 31 October each year. That day is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and tying the announcement to it keeps the medal associated with the leader who shaped the country's police and administrative machinery. The 2026 list was accordingly put out on 31 October 2026.

What the medal is meant to do

The decoration came into being through a Home Ministry notification dated 1 February 2024. Three purposes are set out for it: to place on record work of an unusually high standard, to set professional benchmarks for the forces to aim at, and to raise the spirits of the officers and personnel who earn it. The medal was begun under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, and it is expected to encourage police personnel across the country.

Who is eligible

• Members of police forces, security organisations and the intelligence wings, branches or special branches of the states, the Union Territories, the CPOs and the CAPFs.
• Personnel of the National Security Guard (NSG) and of the Assam Rifles.
• Serving government scientists in forensic science, whether in central, state or Union Territory service, anywhere in the Indian Union.

The grounds on which it is given

Five kinds of work qualify a person for the medal: excellence in operations, outstanding service in investigation, exceptional performance, intelligence service marked by daring and determination, and meritorious work by government scientists in the field of forensic science. The complete list of this year's recipients has been placed on the Home Ministry's website.

One distinction is worth noting for an examination. This is a medal for professional skill rather than for bravery alone, which is why investigation, intelligence work and laboratory science all find a place in it alongside field operations.