Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the leading state in the country for Gallantry Medals (GM) awarded to its police personnel, according to the latest national honours list announced ahead of Independence Day. The state’s police force has bagged 17 Gallantry Medals, six President’s Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM), and an impressive 72 Medals for Meritorious Service (MSM) — a combined tally that reflects both exceptional frontline courage and long-standing service excellence. Nationwide, the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir topped the overall list with 127 Gallantry Medals, but among states, Uttar Pradesh took the number one spot, surpassing Chhattisgarh (14 GM), Odisha (9 GM), and Bihar and Maharashtra (7 GM each). In 2024, UP has significantly improved its standing — last year it shared the top position with Maharashtra at 17 Gallantry Medals each, while in 2023, it had slipped to sixth place with just 12 medals, far behind then-state Jammu & Kashmir (55 GM), Maharashtra (33 GM), Chhattisgarh (24 GM), Telangana (22 GM), and Andhra Pradesh (18 GM). Police Gallantry Medals are awarded for exceptional courage and valor in the line of duty, often during high-risk encounters with criminals, anti-extremist operations, or life-threatening rescue missions. Senior police officials in UP police headquarters said this year’s strong tally reflects the force’s enhanced operational capacity, better inter-agency coordination, and sustained crackdowns on organized crime and criminal gangs across Uttar Pradesh. The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Medal for Meritorious Service further underline the commitment and dedication of UP’s police personnel in ensuring law and order, preventing crime, and safeguarding public safety. Officials said these awards recognize not just momentary acts of bravery, but years of diligent, disciplined service that strengthens the state’s security apparatus. They added that Uttar Pradesh’s consistent performance in national police honours in recent years demonstrates the impact of modernized policing methods, increased training, and policy focus on proactive crime control, which together have contributed to making the force one of the most decorated in the country.