Seventeen personnel from Odisha have been selected for the Service Medals 2026, recognising acts of gallantry and distinguished and meritorious service. The honours cover personnel being recognised for their contribution and commitment to duty.
According to the information provided, five personnel from Odisha will receive gallantry honours, while two will be awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service. Another 10 personnel have been selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service.
Among those selected for the President’s Medal is Sanjeeb Panda.
Service Medals 2026 recognise Odisha personnel
The selection includes honours across different categories of service. Gallantry medals recognise personnel for acts of bravery, while the distinguished and meritorious service categories recognise sustained commitment and valuable service.
The announcement comes as the country prepares for the Independence Day period, when national service honours are traditionally announced and presented.
The Ministry of Home Affairs’ official awards information confirms that the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and Medal for Meritorious Service are among the recognised service medal categories for police, fire, Home Guard and Civil Defence, and correctional services.
Sanjeeb Panda among distinguished service awardees
Sanjeeb Panda is among the personnel named for the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, according to the information provided for this report.
Panda is a senior Odisha cadre IPS officer. An Odisha government document lists him as an IPS officer and records his service in the state police administration.
His selection adds significance to the latest honours announced for personnel from Odisha.
The service medal system recognises different forms of contribution. The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service is intended for an exceptional record of service, while the Medal for Meritorious Service recognises valuable service marked by resourcefulness and devotion to duty.
Recognition across service categories
The 17 Odisha personnel named in the information supplied for the Service Medals 2026 include five gallantry awardees, two President’s Medal for Distinguished Service recipients and 10 Medal for Meritorious Service recipients.
The honours highlight the work of personnel who have served in demanding circumstances and maintained a high level of professional commitment.
The latest announcement is separate from the Republic Day 2026 medal awards, for which Odisha had earlier received recognition across police, fire, Home Guard and correctional services. The Ministry of Home Affairs maintains separate announcements for the Republic Day and Independence Day medal cycles.
For Odisha, the latest selection provides another national recognition of personnel serving across the state’s security and public-service institutions.
As further official details become available, the names and departments of all 17 awardees can provide a clearer picture of the individual contributions behind the honours. For now, the Service Medals 2026 selection marks a significant recognition for personnel from Odisha.
