New Delhi, 31 October (H.S.): The Union Government has announced the recipients of the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation for 2026, with a total of 490 police officers and personnel from across the country selected for the prestigious recognition on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

According to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the award recognises outstanding contributions in various fields, including policing, investigation, intelligence services and forensic science. The initiative aims to encourage professional excellence within security and investigative agencies while acknowledging personnel who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and performance in their respective fields.

The Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation was instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a notification issued on February 1, 2024. It recognises exceptional performance by personnel serving in police and security organisations across the country.

The award covers officers and personnel from state police forces, Union Territory police organisations, specialised intelligence units, central police organisations (CPOs), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the National Security Guard (NSG) and Assam Rifles.

The medal is primarily conferred for outstanding contributions across four key areas. The first category recognises exceptional operational performance and significant achievements by police and security personnel during various assignments and operations.

The second honours officers and personnel who have demonstrated exemplary investigative skills in solving serious and complex cases. The third recognises exceptional courage, commitment and outstanding intelligence work by personnel at both the Central and state levels.

The fourth category acknowledges government scientists serving under Central and state governments for their significant contributions to the field of forensic science.

The medal recipients are announced annually on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.

Launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the initiative seeks to strengthen professional standards and promote efficiency across the country's policing and security framework.

The Ministry of Home Affairs said the recognition is intended to acknowledge officers and personnel who have achieved distinction through dedicated service and exceptional performance in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The award also seeks to promote high professional standards across police and security organisations, bring exemplary contributions into national recognition and boost the morale of personnel working in law enforcement, investigation, intelligence and forensic science.

The selection of 490 personnel for the 2026 edition highlights the contributions of officers and staff serving in police forces, security establishments and investigative and intelligence agencies across the country.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar