Uttar Pradesh Police leads the nation, securing the highest number of gallantry honors awarded for their brave service. This significant achievement underscores the force’s unwavering dedication to public safety and its officers’ daring actions in combating crime and maintaining order across the state. As official commendations are announced, UP Police personnel receive widespread recognition for their extraordinary courage and selfless acts, often placing themselves in harm’s way to protect common people. This outstanding performance positions the UP Police at the top among all police forces in India, setting a new benchmark for valor and duty in the face of danger.
Recognizing Courage and Service
Uttar Pradesh has recently received high recognition for the bravery and dedication of its police force. The state’s police department has been honored with the most Gallantry Medals among all states in the country. This recognition was part of the national awards list announced just before Independence Day 2025. This significant achievement highlights the commitment of UP police officers and staff who show exceptional courage and work hard to keep people safe. While the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir received the highest number of Gallantry Medals overall with 127, Uttar Pradesh stood out as the top state. This is a notable improvement for Uttar Pradesh, as it shared the top spot with Maharashtra in 2024, each receiving 17 Gallantry Medals. In 2023, the state was ranked sixth with 12 medals. The current count for UP police includes 17 Gallantry Medals, 6 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service. 72 Medals for Meritorious Service. This brings the total number of honors for the UP police force to 95.
Understanding the Awards
The Gallantry Medals given to police personnel are for special acts of bravery and courage while on duty. These acts often involve dangerous situations, such as facing criminals, dealing with anti-extremist operations, or carrying out rescue missions where lives are at risk. These awards acknowledge police officers who go beyond their normal duties to protect the public. Besides Gallantry Medals, there are other crucial awards. The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is given for a long and outstanding record in service. The Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) is for valuable service marked by cleverness and devotion to duty. These different types of medals collectively celebrate the various ways police personnel serve the nation, from frontline bravery to consistent high-quality work over many years. A total of 1,090 police, fire, home guard, civil defense. correctional services personnel received gallantry or service medals across the country this Independence Day. Out of the 233 Gallantry Medals awarded nationwide, 226 went to police personnel. To provide a clearer picture of the distribution of Gallantry Medals among states and forces:
| Entity | Gallantry Medals (GM) |
|---|---|
| Jammu & Kashmir (UT) | 127 |
| Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | 20 |
| Uttar Pradesh Police | 17 |
| Border Security Force (BSF) | 16 |
| Chhattisgarh Police | 14 |
| Odisha Police | 9 |
| Bihar Police | 7 |
| Maharashtra Police | 7 |
Stories of Brave Acts
The 17 Gallantry Medals given to Uttar Pradesh police personnel highlight specific moments of extreme bravery. These awards recognize officers who faced great danger to ensure public safety. For example, Deputy Superintendent of Police (STF) Deepak Kumar Singh was honored for leading a high-risk operation in Gorakhpur on January 5, 2024. This operation resulted in the neutralization of Vinod Kumar Upadhyay, a dangerous criminal who had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head and was wanted in 46 criminal cases, including murder and extortion. Inspector Hemant Bhushan Singh and Head Constable Vinod Kumar were also crucial parts of this mission. Another notable awardee is Senior IPS officer Ajay Kumar Sahni, who is currently serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in Bareilly. This is his third President’s medal, a rare achievement in Indian policing. He received a Gallantry Medal for his brave actions in an encounter in Meerut on January 25, 2020. During this incident, he gunned down Chand alias Kale, a notorious criminal involved in 39 cases and carrying a Rs 1 lakh reward. Deputy SP Dinesh Chandra and Head Constable Manoj Kumar were also part of the team that faced this criminal. DSP Dharmesh Kumar Shahi, from the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), also received a Gallantry Medal. His award is for his role in an operation on September 3, 2021, in Ballia, where Harish Paswan was neutralized. Paswan was a contract killer linked to the Shahabuddin gang and had 35 criminal cases registered against him across three states. Sub-Inspector Yashwant Singh and Head Constable Neeraj Kumar Pandey were part of Shahi’s team during this operation. Other acts of bravery include:
- On July 7, 2021, Inspector Munish Pratap Singh Chauhan, SI Akshay Parveer Tyagi. Head Constables Rajan Kumar and Mukesh Kumar were involved in an operation in Gautam Buddh Nagar that resulted in the elimination of Ajay alias Kalia. Kalia was a member of the infamous Axle Gang, carried a Rs 2 lakh reward. was wanted for robbery and sexual assault cases along the Yamuna Expressway. He had 13 cases against him.
- Sub-Inspector Pramod Kumar was honored for an encounter on July 2, 2020, in Aligarh, where he neutralized Bablu alias Ganja. Bablu, also associated with the Axle Gang, had a reward of Rs 50,000 and 27 cases against him.
- Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar, Sub-Inspector Arun Kumar. Head Constable Tinkle received medals for their encounter with Vishal Chaudhary alias Monu, a criminal with a Rs 50,000 bounty, in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, on June 2, 2023.
These examples show the dangerous conditions police officers often work under and the risks they take to maintain peace and order.
Why These Awards Matter
This leading position in gallantry honors for Uttar Pradesh is more than just a number; it reflects the deep commitment and effectiveness of the state’s police force. Such recognition boosts the morale of the police personnel and motivates them to continue their difficult work. It also builds trust among the public, showing that the police are actively working to make communities safer. The awards serve as a reminder of the daily sacrifices made by police officers. They often put their lives on the line to prevent crime, arrest dangerous criminals. respond to emergencies. The high number of awards indicates a proactive approach by the UP Police in tackling organized crime and ensuring law and order across the state.
Official Words on Achievement
DGP Rajeev Krishna shared his thoughts on the police force’s strong performance. He said that this year’s high number of awards shows the police force’s improved ability to carry out operations, better cooperation between different police units. continuous strong action against organized crime and criminal gangs throughout Uttar Pradesh. The Director General also stated that the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Meritorious Service further highlight the dedication of UP police personnel in ensuring law and order, preventing crime. protecting public safety. He added that Uttar Pradesh’s steady performance in national police honors in recent years demonstrates the positive impact of modern policing methods, increased training. a focus on preventing crime. These factors have helped make the UP police one of the most recognized forces in the country.
“This year’s strong tally reflects the force’s enhanced operational capacity, better inter-agency coordination. sustained crackdowns on organised crime and criminal gangs across UP. The PSM and the MSM further underline the commitment and dedication of UP’s police personnel in ensuring law and order, preventing crime and safeguarding public safety.” – DGP Rajeev Krishna
“UP’s consistent performance in national police honours in recent years demonstrates the impact of modernised policing methods, increased training and policy focus on proactive crime control, which together contributed to making the force one of the most decorated in the country.” – DGP Rajeev Krishna
Building Stronger Police Work
The consistent recognition through these awards points to ongoing efforts within the Uttar Pradesh Police to improve their capabilities. Modern policing involves using new technology, better training programs. smart strategies to tackle crime. The focus on proactive crime control means that the police are working to stop crimes before they happen, rather than just reacting to them. This approach requires intelligence gathering, quick response. effective coordination. The success in receiving many gallantry awards suggests that these improvements are paying off. When officers are well-trained and supported, they are better equipped to handle dangerous situations and perform their duties effectively. This leads to a safer environment for citizens and a more confident police force. The awards also highlight the importance of teamwork, as many of the recognized acts of bravery involved multiple officers working together in high-pressure situations.
Facing Challenges Head-on
Despite these achievements, the police force faces constant challenges. Uttar Pradesh is a large state with diverse policing needs, from managing everyday crime to tackling organized gangs and serious law and order issues. The awards indicate that the UP Police are actively confronting these challenges. The stories behind the medals often involve direct confrontations with dangerous criminals, showing a clear resolve to bring offenders to justice. The recognition also comes at a time when police forces across the nation are under scrutiny, making the emphasis on gallantry and service even more essential. It reinforces the image of a committed police force that prioritizes public safety and upholds the law with bravery and dedication. The continued focus on training, coordination. proactive measures will be key to sustaining this level of performance and ensuring that the police remain effective in their vital role. 
