Ministry of Home Affairs announces honours for excellence in operations, investigation, intelligence and forensic science on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary
New Delhi, October 31, 2026: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 for 490 personnel from various States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs), recognising outstanding professional performance in policing, security, intelligence and forensic science.
The awards were announced on October 31, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which is observed across the country as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the medals are intended to recognise excellent work, encourage high professional standards and boost the morale of officers and personnel serving in different law enforcement and security organisations.
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak was instituted through a Ministry of Home Affairs notification dated February 1, 2024. The award recognises exceptional contributions across several specialised areas of policing and security administration.
Eligible personnel include members of state and Union Territory police forces, security organisations, intelligence wings, special branches, Central Police Organisations, Central Armed Police Forces, the National Security Guard and Assam Rifles.
The award also covers serving government scientists working in forensic science organisations at the Central, state and Union Territory levels.
The recognition is conferred for excellence in operations, outstanding investigation work, exceptional professional performance, courageous intelligence service and meritorious contributions in forensic science.
Through these categories, the award acknowledges the diverse responsibilities performed by personnel involved in maintaining internal security, conducting criminal investigations, gathering intelligence and providing scientific assistance to law enforcement agencies.
The Ministry said the initiative, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is intended to encourage professional excellence and strengthen morale across police and security organisations.
The award also highlights the importance of specialised skills, dedication and professional competence in responding to evolving challenges faced by law enforcement and security agencies.
Operational excellence and effective investigations are important aspects of policing, while intelligence services and forensic science contribute to security-related work and criminal justice processes.
By recognising achievements in these areas, the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak seeks to encourage personnel to maintain high standards in their respective fields.
The annual announcement on October 31 also links the recognition of police and security personnel with the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a central role in India’s political integration after Independence.
For 2026, a total of 490 personnel have been selected for the award across the eligible organisations and categories.
The complete list of awardees has been made available by the Ministry of Home Affairs on its official website. The list provides details of the personnel recognised under the 2026 awards.
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak continues to serve as a national recognition of professional excellence among personnel engaged in policing, security, intelligence and forensic science across India.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, October 31, 2026.
