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Skills & Employment; Public Safety,Law & Justice

President’s Medal for Distinguished Service

The scheme aims to recognize exceptional service, distinguished records, and meritorious contributions in police, security, fire, prison, and civil defence services.

Authority

Central

Region

Central Government

Status

Verified 2026

Updated

March 2026

What you get

Tangible Benefits | - Award of Medal (PSM or MSM) for recognition of service. | - National-level prestige and honour. | - Official recognition recorded in service records. | - Career enhancement and increased professional credibility. | - Eligibility consideration for future honors and promotions. | Mode of Disbursement | - Physical conferment of the medal and citation by the President of India. | - Announced annually on national occasions (e.g., Republic Day/Independence Day). | - Lifetime recognition unless withdrawn under disciplinary grounds.

Who can apply

The applicant should be a member of the Police Forces, CAPFs, CPOs, Fire Services, Prison Administration, Home Guards, or Civil Defence.; The applicant should have a clean service record; no major penalties in the review period.; The applicant should demonstrate exceptional ability, merit, or devotion to duty.; The applicant should have completed a minimum 25 years of service.; The applicant should have at least 10 years of ACR/APAR records under review.; The applicant should have at least 8 Very Good/Outstanding ratings; at least 5 must be Outstanding.; The applicant should not have more than 1 missing ACR; last year ACR must be available.; The applicant should maintain SHAPE 1 physical fitness (relaxation possible in exceptional cases).; The applicant should have a gap of at least 6 years after receiving MSM (relaxable to 4 years in special cases).

Required Paperwork

  • Aadhaar Card
  • PAN Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Residence Proof (Domicile)

Common Questions

Who awards the PSM?

The awards are conferred by the President of India.

Who is eligible for these awards?

Personnel from police, CAPFs, fire services, prisons, and civil defence are eligible.

What is the minimum service required for PSM?

A minimum of 25 years of service is required.

Are ACR/APAR records important for selection?

Yes, performance records are a key evaluation criterion.

Can a person with disciplinary action apply?

No, candidates must have a clean service record.

Is there any reservation or preference?

Yes, preference is given to SC/ST, women, and minorities.

Can the award be withdrawn?

Yes, it can be withdrawn in case of misconduct or criminal activity.

Is there a monetary reward under this scheme?

No monetary benefit is specified; recognition is honorary.

How often are the awards given?

The awards are given annually.

What is the role of vigilance clearance?

It ensures the candidate has no pending disciplinary or criminal cases.

Can missing ACRs affect eligibility?

Yes, more than one missing ACR leads to disqualification.

Is physical fitness required?

Yes, SHAPE 1 category fitness is generally required.

Who recommends candidates for the award?

State Governments and Central organizations recommend candidates.

Can the award be given multiple times?

There are restrictions; repeated awards depend on eligibility and criteria.