Uttar Pradesh Police today earn a groundbreaking 95 gallantry and service awards, marking an unprecedented achievement for the state’s law enforcement. This historic recognition shines a light on the exceptional bravery, unwavering dedication. vital contributions of officers, who consistently demonstrate courage in the face of danger and serve the public with distinction. The record number of accolades underscores the intense commitment and sacrifices made daily by police personnel across Uttar Pradesh.
A New Milestone in Police Excellence
The Uttar Pradesh Police force has received a record number of awards, securing 95 medals for gallantry and distinguished service. This significant achievement was announced on the eve of Independence Day 2025, marking a moment of pride for the state’s law enforcement. The recognition highlights the dedication and brave actions of police personnel across Uttar Pradesh, who have shown exceptional courage and commitment in their duties.
This year’s tally of 95 medals positions Uttar Pradesh as the leading state in India for Gallantry Medals awarded to its police force. While the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir secured the highest overall number of Gallantry Medals nationwide with 127, Uttar Pradesh surpassed all other states in this category. Chhattisgarh followed with 14 Gallantry Medals, Odisha with 9. Bihar and Maharashtra each with 7.
Breakdown of Honors
The 95 medals awarded to the Uttar Pradesh Police cover various categories, reflecting different aspects of service and bravery. The comprehensive list of honors includes a notable number of Gallantry Medals, President’s Medals for Distinguished Service. Medals for Meritorious Service.
The distribution of the awards is as follows:
| Medal Category | Number of Medals |
|---|---|
| Gallantry Medals (GM) | 17 |
| President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM) | 6 |
| Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM) | 72 |
| Total Medals | 95 |
These awards are given for exceptional courage in the line of duty, often involving high-risk situations with criminals, anti-extremist actions, or life-saving rescue operations. The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Meritorious Service acknowledge long-standing commitment and outstanding performance in upholding law and order, preventing crime. ensuring public safety.
Stories of Courage and Duty
Many of the Gallantry Medals were awarded for specific acts of bravery, where police personnel directly confronted dangerous criminals. These operations often involved significant risk to the lives of the officers.
Some of the notable operations leading to Gallantry Medals include:
- Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Deepak Kumar Singh, along with Inspector Hemant Bhushan Singh and Constable Vinod Kumar, received awards for an operation in Gorakhpur on January 5, 2024. This operation led to the elimination of Vinod Kumar Upadhyay, a criminal wanted in numerous cases of murder, robbery. extortion, carrying a reward of one lakh rupees.
- DSP Dharmesh Kumar Shahi, known as D K Shahi, along with Sub Inspector Yashwant Singh and Head Constable Neeraj Kumar Pandey, were recognized for an encounter on September 3, 2021, in Rasra. This action led to the neutralization of Harish Paswan, a shooter from the Shahabuddin gang, wanted in 35 cases across three states.
- Inspector Munish Pratap Singh Chauhan, Sub Inspector Akshay Parveer Tyagi. Head Constables Rajan Kumar and Mukesh Kumar of Hapur Police were honored for their operation on July 7, 2021. In Noida’s Sector-20, they neutralized Ajay alias Kalia of the infamous Axle Gang, who was wanted for robbery and sexual assault cases along expressways and carried a two lakh rupee reward.
- Sub Inspector Pramod Kumar was awarded for an STF-led operation on July 2, 2020, in Tappal, Aligarh. This operation resulted in the neutralization of Bablu alias Ganja, a criminal with 27 registered cases and a 50,000 rupee bounty on his head.
- Sub Inspector Mukesh Kumar, Sub Inspector Arun Kumar. Head Constable Tinkle received medals for an encounter on June 2, 2023, in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad. This operation led to the elimination of Vishal Chaudhary alias Monu, a criminal with a 50,000 rupee reward, involved in 11 serious offenses including murder.
Leaders of the Force Recognized
Senior officers also received prestigious awards for their leadership and sustained efforts in maintaining law and order. IPS officer Ajay Kumar Sahni, currently Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bareilly Range, was selected for the President’s Gallantry Medal. This marks his third President’s medal, a rare achievement in Indian policing.
Sahni, a 2009-batch IPS officer, has held Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) positions in several districts. He is known for leading numerous police encounters. His current award specifically recognizes his courageous role in an encounter on January 25, 2020, while serving as SSP Meerut. In this incident, he led an operation against armed robbers, which resulted in the elimination of Chand alias Kale, a gangster with over 40 cases and a one lakh rupee bounty. Station Officer Dinesh Kumar and Head Constable Manoj Kumar, who were injured in the operation, will also receive medals.
These awards acknowledge not only individual acts of bravery but also the broader efforts of the Uttar Pradesh Police in tackling organized crime and high-profile offenders across the state.
Commitment to Public Safety
Senior police officials at the Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters have stated that this strong showing of awards reflects the force’s improved operational capabilities, better coordination among different agencies. ongoing efforts to crack down on organized crime and criminal gangs throughout Uttar Pradesh.
The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Meritorious Service further emphasize the dedication of Uttar Pradesh police personnel in ensuring the safety of the public, preventing criminal activities. upholding the rule of law. Officials noted that these honors acknowledge not just isolated acts of courage. many years of diligent and disciplined service that strengthens the state’s security system.
A Trend of Strong Performance
Uttar Pradesh’s consistent performance in national police honors in recent years demonstrates the impact of modern policing methods, increased training. a focus on proactive crime control. The police force has shown a remarkable improvement in its standing. For instance, in 2024, Uttar Pradesh shared the top position with Maharashtra, each receiving 17 Gallantry Medals. This is a significant improvement from 2023, when the state was in sixth place with 12 medals.
Earlier in the year, on Republic Day 2025, Uttar Pradesh Police had also topped the medals tally, winning 95 out of a total of 797 medals for gallantry, distinguished. meritorious service nationwide. This included 33 gallantry medals, with personnel from both police and fire services being recognized. This was the first time since 2021 that a state police force received the highest number of police medals on Republic Day.
Such consistent recognition highlights the Uttar Pradesh Police as one of the most decorated forces in the country, a testament to its ongoing efforts to maintain peace and order.
