Police Medal for Meritorious Service is a national honour given by the Ministry of Home Affairs to police and allied force personnel for long, consistent and disciplined service. On the occasion of Independence Day 2026, the ministry announced this medal for 664 personnel from police, fire services, home guards, civil defence and correctional services.
The award is a formal mark of appreciation for personnel who serve the country with dedication over many years. It is given every year on Independence Day and Republic Day, and it recognises sustained professional excellence rather than a single act of bravery.
Police Medal for Meritorious Service - Introduction
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, runs the Police Medal for Meritorious Service under the Police-I Division. The medal is awarded for valuable service marked by resource and devotion to duty. It is one of the service medals announced alongside the President's Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Gallantry.
In the Independence Day 2026 list, the ministry selected 664 personnel for the Medal for Meritorious Service. Of these, 606 personnel are from the police service, 28 from the fire service, 18 from civil defence and home guard service, and 12 from correctional services. The full list is available on the official awards portal.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Police Medal for Meritorious Service |
|---|---|
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Public Safety, Law & Justice, Skills & Employment |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Nodal Department | Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Tags | Meritorious Service, Professional Excellence, Award, Police |
Benefits
The medal brings national appreciation and a formal record of service excellence for the awardee. It is presented along with a citation on national occasions, and it adds to the professional standing of the personnel in their service record.
- Physical medal and citation conferred by the competent authority, presented annually on Independence Day and Republic Day.
- National appreciation and prestige, with an official entry of the award in the service record of the personnel.
- Better career prospects based on professional validation and formal acknowledgement of consistent service.
Eligibility
Only personnel who meet the strict service and conduct conditions are considered for the medal. The selection is based on service record, annual reports and vigilance clearance, and the same rules apply for every cycle.
- Applicants must be serving police officers or personnel of CAPFs and other police organisations.
- A minimum of 18 years of service is required for the medal.
- Applicants must hold a clean service record without major penalties or pending disciplinary issues.
- ACRs or APARs for the last 10 years are required, with at least 8 ratings of Very Good or above and at least 1 rated as Outstanding.
- No Average ACR rating is allowed during the review period, and no more than 1 missing ACR is permitted.
- Candidates should be physically fit, ideally under the SHAPE 1 category, with limited exceptions for SHAPE 2.
- Group A officers may have no more than 3 nominations, and candidates must be free from adverse vigilance issues.
Application Process
Online Nomination Process
STEP 1 - Visit the official awards portal at awards.gov.in and log in using the recommending authority's official credentials.
STEP 2 - Complete the nomination form with all required details of the personnel being recommended.
STEP 3 - Prepare the proposal including full service records and ACR or APAR details.
STEP 4 - Upload the necessary documentation and submit the nomination through the State Government or the Central Organisation.
Post-Application Process
STEP 1 - Authorities conduct a thorough check of ACR or APAR, vigilance records and service history.
STEP 2 - Committees under the Ministry of Home Affairs screen and evaluate the nominations.
STEP 3 - A final recommendation list is prepared on merit and approved by the competent authority and the President of India.
STEP 4 - Selected awardees receive their medals and citations on national occasions.
Documents
The following documents are required to support a nomination for the medal. The recommending authority must keep these ready before submission.
- Service Record Certificate and Citation Document detailing service contributions.
- Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) or Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) for the last 10 years.
- Vigilance Clearance Certificate, Integrity Certificate and Cadre Clearance Certificate.
- Medical Fitness Certificate (SHAPE Category) and Recommendation Letter from the Competent Authority.
- Non-Initiation Certificate, if applicable, and Verification Reports from IB, CBI or MHA, if applicable.
References
FAQ's
What is the minimum service required?
A minimum of 18 years of service is mandatory for the medal.
Are ACRs mandatory for eligibility?
Yes, ACRs or APARs covering the last 10 years are essential for the evaluation process.
How many Very Good ACRs are required?
At least 8 ratings of Very Good or above are required, with at least 1 rated as Outstanding.
Can a candidate with an Average ACR apply?
No, candidates with any Average ACR rating are not eligible.
Is there a limit on missing ACRs?
Yes, more than 1 missing ACR leads to disqualification.
Is physical fitness required?
Yes, SHAPE 1 fitness is required, with minor exceptions possible for SHAPE 2.
Can the medal be awarded multiple times?
Yes, it can be awarded again subject to the prescribed nomination limits.
Is there any reservation or preference?
Yes, preferences are considered for SC, ST, women and minority personnel.
What is the role of vigilance clearance?
It confirms that the candidate has no pending disciplinary or criminal issues.
When are the awards announced?
The awards are announced annually on Independence Day and Republic Day.