Bhubaneswar: A total of 1,057 personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence, and Correctional Services across the country have been awarded Gallantry and Service Medals on the occasion of Independence Day 2026.
Odisha has secured a significant share of these honours across its various service branches.
In the Police Service, five personnel from Odisha have been awarded the Medal for Gallantry (GM), two have received the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), and 10 have been conferred the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
In the Fire Service, one Odisha officer has been awarded the PSM, while two have received the MSM.
The Home Guard & Civil Defence wing of Odisha has seen one personnel honoured with the MSM, and the Correctional Service has recorded two MSM awardees from the state.
The Medal for Gallantry has been awarded to five Odisha Police personnel: Sub-Inspector Manmath Kumar Mohapatra, Havildar Nirakar Bhue, and Commandos Santosh Gurung, Suman Pun, and Suresh Chandra Puta.
In the Police Service category, Additional Director General Sanjeeb Panda and Deputy Superintendent of Police Smitarani Mohanty from Odisha have been named recipients of the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service.
From the Fire Service, Assistant Station Officer Malaya Kumar Mohanty of Odisha has also been awarded the PSM.
The DGP, Odisha congratulated the personnel who have been conferred the medals. In a post on X, Odisha Police said: “Congratulations to all the medal recipients and their proud families. Your exemplary service continues to inspire the entire Odisha Police fraternity. Salute to your courage. Salute to your service. Salute to your dedication.”
