Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak: Honouring Excellence in Policing

Syllabus: Awards and Honours (UPSC Prelims)
Source: New Indian Express

Context

On Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary (October 31, 2025), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak to honour 1,466 police personnel from States, Union Territories, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for exceptional service and professionalism.

About the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak

• Nature: A national-level police award recognising outstanding professionalism, courage, integrity, and innovation in policing and internal security.
• Instituted on: 1 February 2024 by the Ministry of Home Affairs through official notification.
• Administered by: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

Aim

• To promote high professional standards and encourage excellence in policing.
• To recognise exceptional contributions in special operations, investigations, intelligence, and forensic science.
• To foster a culture of integrity, courage, and innovation in India’s police services.

Key Features

• Annual Award: Conferred every year on October 31, marking the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister.
• Broad Eligibility: Open to personnel from State/UT Police, CAPFs, CPOs, intelligence wings, and forensic units.
• Merit-Based Selection: Recipients chosen through a rigorous evaluation of exceptional performance and service record.
• Career Motivation: Serves as a morale booster, encouraging operational efficiency and ethical policing.

Significance

• Reinforces Sardar Patel’s legacy as the architect of India’s unity and internal security framework.
• Enhances motivation, discipline, and accountability among India’s 3-million-strong police force.
• Promotes adoption of modern investigative and intelligence practices, aligning policing with 21st-century security challenges.