Quick answer: The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) medal for excellence in police and security work. It was instituted on 1 February 2024. On 31 October 2026, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, which is observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the medal was announced for 490 personnel of States, Union Territories, CAPFs and Central Police Organisations for 2026.
Why the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak is in the news
The MHA released the 2026 list through PIB on 31 October 2026. According to the ministry, the medal recognises excellent work, encourages high professional standards and lifts the morale of the officers who receive it.
The 2026 list is far shorter than the 2025 list. Reports give 463 awardees in 2024 and 1,466 in 2025.
Key facts about the Dakshata Padak
- Instituted by: an MHA notification dated 1 February 2024.
- When announced: every year on 31 October, Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary.
- Eligible: State/UT police, security and intelligence units, CAPFs, CPOs, NSG and Assam Rifles, and government forensic scientists.
- Fields covered: operations, investigation, intelligence work and forensic science.
How the 490 medals for 2026 break down
Counted from the official list of awardees:
| Field | Awardees (2026) | Examples of forces named |
|---|---|---|
| Special Operation | 358 | CRPF, Assam Rifles, Punjab, Delhi, UP, Jharkhand police, CBIC |
| Investigation | 123 | State police forces, CBI, NIA, NCB |
| Forensic Science | 9 | CFSL Chandigarh and State forensic laboratories |
| Total | 490 |
Police and CAPF medals: the current list
The MHA’s IPS portal lists six medals for police personnel of States, UTs, CPOs and CAPFs. In 2024, older names such as the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry gave way to these titles.
| Medal | Short form | Given for / when |
|---|---|---|
| President’s Medal for Gallantry | PMG | The highest police gallantry medal, announced on Republic Day and Independence Day |
| Medal for Gallantry | GM | Gallantry in saving life or property, preventing crime or arresting criminals (301 on I-Day 2026) |
| President’s Medal for Distinguished Service | PSM | Specially distinguished record of service (92 on I-Day 2026) |
| Medal for Meritorious Service | MSM | Valuable service with resource and devotion to duty (664 on I-Day 2026) |
| Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak | – | Excellence in operations, investigation, intelligence and forensic science; announced on 31 October |
| Parakram Padak | – | Notified by the MHA in 2024 |
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas and the CAPFs
Since 2014, Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary on 31 October has been observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day). The 2026 observance marked his 151st birth anniversary, with a “Run for Unity” at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi, and the main celebration at Kevadia, Gujarat. Patel, India’s first Home Minister, led the integration of the princely states.
There are seven forces in the CAPF group under the MHA:
| Force | Main role |
|---|---|
| Border Security Force (BSF) | Guards the India–Pakistan and India–Bangladesh borders |
| Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | Guards the India–China border, from the Karakoram Pass to the Diphu Pass |
| Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) | Guards the India–Nepal and India–Bhutan borders |
| Assam Rifles (AR) | Guards the India–Myanmar border; counter-insurgency in the North-East |
| Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) | Internal security and counter-Naxal operations; the largest CAPF |
| Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) | Security of PSUs, airports and critical installations |
| National Security Guard (NSG) | Counter-terrorism and hostage rescue (“Black Cats”) |
Assam Rifles is a special case. The MHA administers it, but the Indian Army has operational control. When the “paramilitary” forces were renamed CAPFs in 2011, the new name first covered only BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB. All seven are now counted as CAPFs.
Exam angle: how NDA, CDS and CAPF can ask this
- UPSC CAPF (AC) GK often asks which force guards which border.
- Expect questions on the dual control of Assam Rifles (MHA for administration, Army for operations) in CAPF and CDS papers.
- Important days: 31 October is Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, and it is also the day the Dakshata Padak is announced.
Practice MCQs
Q1. How many personnel were named for the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for 2026?
(a) 463 (b) 490 (c) 1,057 (d) 1,466
Answer: (b). The MHA named 490 personnel on 31 October 2026.
Q2. On which day is the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak announced every year?
(a) 26 January (b) 15 August (c) 21 October (d) 31 October
Answer: (d). It is announced on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.
Q3. Which CAPF guards the India–Nepal and India–Bhutan borders?
(a) ITBP (b) BSF (c) SSB (d) Assam Rifles
Answer: (c). The Sashastra Seema Bal guards these two borders.
Q4. Operational control of the Assam Rifles rests with:
(a) the Ministry of Home Affairs (b) the Indian Army (c) the State Government of Assam (d) the NSG
Answer: (b). The MHA handles administration, while the Indian Army has operational control.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak?
It is a medal instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 1 February 2024. It is given to police, security, intelligence and forensic personnel for excellence in operations, investigation, intelligence and forensic science.
How many received the Dakshata Padak in 2026?
490 personnel from various States, UTs, CAPFs and CPOs were named on 31 October 2026. The official list has 358 in special operations, 123 in investigation and 9 in forensic science.
Why is it announced on 31 October?
31 October is the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister. It has been observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas since 2014.
Are Assam Rifles personnel eligible?
Yes. The MHA lists the NSG and Assam Rifles among eligible forces.
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Sources: PIB, Ministry of Home Affairs (31 Oct 2026), List of awardees 2026, MHA IPS portal: awards and medals, AIR News (14 Aug 2026), The Tribune (PTI), MHA Run for Unity OM. Facts as reported up to 1 November 2026.
Featured image background: Prime Minister’s Office / Wikimedia Commons, GODL-India.
