Chhattisgarh Police personnel have emerged as the biggest recipients of gallantry medals ahead of Independence Day 2026, securing 141 awards, the highest tally among state police forces and security organisations in the country. The recognition comes against the backdrop of the state's prolonged fight against Left-Wing Extremism, particularly in the Bastar region, where police and security personnel have been involved in sustained operations against Maoist insurgents.
The Chhattisgarh Police tally is significantly higher than that of other major security forces and state police organisations. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have received 38 gallantry medals, while the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been awarded 20. The record number of honours for Chhattisgarh highlights the risks faced by personnel deployed in areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism and their role in recent operations targeting Maoist networks.
According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, a total of 301 gallantry medals have been awarded this year. Of these, 197 have gone to personnel serving in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, while 51 were awarded to personnel deployed in Jammu and Kashmir and 12 to those serving in the Northeast. Another 41 medals went to personnel from other regions. The recipients include 272 police personnel and 29 members of the Fire Service.
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Overall, 1,057 personnel from the Police, Fire Service, Home Guards and Civil Defence, and Correctional Services have been selected for Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day. The awards include 92 President's Medals for Distinguished Service, recognising specially distinguished records in service. Of these, 83 were awarded to police personnel, four to the Fire Service, three to Civil Defence and Home Guard personnel and two to Correctional Services.
A further 664 Medals for Meritorious Service have been awarded for service marked by resourcefulness and devotion to duty. Police personnel account for 606 of these awards, followed by the Fire Service with 28, Civil Defence and Home Guards with 18, and Correctional Services with 12. The distribution reflects recognition across multiple branches of the country's policing, emergency response and correctional services.
The unusually high number of gallantry medals awarded to Chhattisgarh Police underscores the state's frontline role in the continuing campaign against Naxal violence. Bastar has remained a key area of operations against Left-Wing Extremism, with security forces conducting sustained efforts to dismantle Maoist networks. The 141 medals awarded to Chhattisgarh personnel place the state at the centre of this year's Independence Day honours for gallantry in security operations.
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