Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) P Vijayan has been selected to receive the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service on the occasion of the 76th Republic Day. P Vijayan, who faced suspension in May 2023 while serving as Inspector General of Police following allegations of leaking travel details of the accused in the Elathur train arson case, had his suspension revoked in November 2023. He was appointed as the Intelligence ADGP in October 2024.

Ten other police officials from Kerala have been chosen for the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM). They are: B Krishna Kumar (SP, Special Cell, Police Headquarters), Vinod MP (Additional Supreindent of Police, Kannur Rural), Regi M Kunnipparampan (DySP, Crime Branch, Malappuram), M Gangadharan (DySP, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Malappuram), Shabu R (DySP, Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau, Special Cell, Ernakulam), Varghese KJ (DySP Motor Transport, India Reserve Battalion, Thrissur), Sreekumaran G (Assistant Commandant, Special Armed Police), Suresh Kumar R (Armed Police Sub Inspector, SPMR, SSB Headquarters), MS Gopakumar (Sub-Inspector, District Legal Cell, DPO, Kootayam), and Bindhu M (Assistant Sub-Inspector, Crime Branch, Malappuram).

In addition, two Kerala Fire and Rescue Service officials will receive the Medal for Distinguished Service, five others will receive the Medal for Meritorious Service, and five officials from the state's Correctional Services will also receive the MSM.

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that a total of 942 personnel from Police, Fire, Home Guard & Civil Defence (HG&CD), and Correctional Services will be awarded Gallantry and Service Medals this Republic Day.

Gallantry Medals
The Medal for Gallantry (GM) is awarded for rare and conspicuous acts of gallantry, such as saving lives, protecting property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals.

Of the 95 GM recipients, 28 each are from Left Wing Extremism-affected areas and Jammu & Kashmir, three are from the Northeast, and 36 are from other regions. This includes 78 police personnel and 17 fire service personnel.

Service Medals
The President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) is awarded for exceptional service records. The Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) is given for dedication and resourcefulness in service.

Out of the 101 PSM recipients, 85 are from Police Services, five from Fire Services, seven from Civil Defence & Home Guard Services, and four are from Correctional Services. Of the 746 MSM recipients, 634 are from Police Services, 37 from Fire Services, 39 from Civil Defence & Home Guard Services, and 36 from Correctional Services.