AI SummaryKendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is a central award from the Ministry of Home Affairs that recognizes excellent work and high professional standards among police, security, intelligence and forensic personnel across India. For the year 2026 the ministry has invited nominations through the National Awards Portal, and the last date to send recommendations was extended to 31 July 2026.
The award was established in 2024 to boost morale and encourage officers to keep high standards of service to the nation. It is given in four fields: Special Operation, Investigation, Intelligence and Forensic Science.
Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak - Introduction
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, introduced Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak to appreciate outstanding performance, professional excellence and integrity among personnel serving in police forces, security organizations, intelligence units and forensic science institutions. The government declares the award every year on 31 October, on the eve of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Nominations for the year 2026 opened on 16 June 2026 and the last date was extended to 31 July 2026. Recommendations are sent online through the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in, except for the intelligence field which goes in a sealed physical form to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak |
| Launched By | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Established In | 2024 |
| Level | Central |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Skills and Employment, Public Safety, Law and Justice |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individuals |
| Benefit Type | In Kind (Medal and certificate) |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Application Mode | Online through awards.gov.in |
| Official Website | awards.gov.in |
Benefits
Selected officials receive formal appreciation that recognizes their service to the nation. The benefits given to the awardees are:
- A formal medal awarded to the selected officials as a mark of appreciation for their work.
- A signed certificate (scroll) from the Union Home Minister confirming the award.
- National-level appreciation through the Gazette of India, except in intelligence-related cases.
- Recognition of repeated acts of excellent service through additional Bars added to the medal.
Eligibility
There is no minimum period of service required to get this medal. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Must be serving in police forces, security organizations, intelligence wings or forensic science institutions.
- Must show excellence in Special Operations, Investigation, Intelligence or Forensic Science.
- Must have no pending judicial proceedings or departmental enquiries at the time of consideration.
- Must not have received any major penalty or punishment within the last 5 years.
- Must be officially recommended in one field only, for a single operation.
- ACR or APAR grading is not a factor in selecting the officer for the award.
Application Process
Online Nomination
The Ministry of Home Affairs invites nominations every year in June. For the year 2026 the nomination window opened on 16 June 2026 and the last date was extended to 31 July 2026.
STEP 1 - The head of the organization prepares the nomination documents, including the prescribed proforma, the integrity certificate and the detailed citation.
STEP 2 - Visit the National Awards Portal at awards.gov.in to nominate the officer online. This applies to all categories except the intelligence field.
STEP 3 - Register on the portal and complete the online nomination form with the details of the officer and the field of the award.
STEP 4 - Upload all evidence, case details, service records and supporting documents before the last date of 31 July 2026.
Note for Intelligence Field - All nominations for the intelligence category must be submitted in a sealed physical form directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Selection Procedure
STEP 1 - Nominations are screened by a committee at the state or organization level.
STEP 2 - Shortlisted applications are forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
STEP 3 - A sub-committee reviews the applications at the central level.
STEP 4 - The Central Award Committee, headed by the Union Home Secretary, considers the nominations and recommends them for approval by the competent authority.
STEP 5 - The ministry declares the award every year on 31 October, on the eve of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Number of Awardees
The number of medals available in each field is fixed for a year. Under Special Operation only 3 operations are normally considered, rising to a maximum of 5 to encourage state and union territory police. For Investigation up to 162 officers can be awarded, while Forensic Science is limited to 9 medals and Intelligence has no fixed upper limit.
Documents
Nomination packets must include all required records so that the selection committee can assess the officer's work. Documents needed are:
- Integrity certificate.
- Detailed citation of not more than 500 words.
- Service record details of the officer.
- Case details and operation reports of the specific act or operation.
- Relevant supporting documents and evidence.
- Approval letter from the head of the organization.
- Route approval from the respective home or administrative department.
- Details regarding joint operations, if applicable.
References
FAQ's
Who provides this award?
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, institutes this award for police and security personnel.
Who is eligible to apply?
Personnel from police, security, intelligence and forensic science organizations are eligible for the award.
Which fields are covered by the medal?
The award covers achievements in Special Operation, Investigation, Intelligence and Forensic Science.
Is there a minimum service requirement?
No, there is no minimum period of service required to be eligible for this award.
Can an officer be nominated for different fields?
No, an officer can only be nominated for one specific field for any given operation.
How are intelligence service nominations submitted?
Nominations for the intelligence category must be submitted in a sealed physical format directly to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
When is the award announced?
The award is declared every year on 31 October, on the eve of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Can the award be withdrawn?
Yes, the government reserves the right to withdraw the award in cases of misconduct or subsequent disciplinary action.
How are repeat achievements recognized?
Additional achievements are commemorated through Bars added to the official medal.