President’s Medal for Distinguished Service

Description
The “President’s Medal for Distinguished Service PSM scheme has been launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The scheme aims to recognize exceptional service, distinguished records, and meritorious contributions in police, security, fire, prison, and civil defence services. Under this scheme, prestigious medals, national recognition, and service acknowledgment are provided to eligible personnel serving in various uniformed and public safety services.

Exclusions
• <br>

Benefits
• 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• Lifetime recognition unless withdrawn under disciplinary grounds.

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

Application Process
Step 1: Step 01: Visit the National Awards Portal: https://www.awards.gov.in.
Online
Step 01: Visit the National Awards Portal: https://www.awards.gov.in.

Step 2: Step 02: Register/Login using the official credentials of the recommending authority.
Online
Step 02: Register/Login using the official credentials of the recommending authority.

Step 3: Step 03: Fill in the nomination form with complete details.
Online
Step 03: Fill in the nomination form with complete details.

Step 4: Step 04: Preparation of the nomination proposal is done with complete service records, ACR/APAR details, and supporting documents.
Online
Step 04: Preparation of the nomination proposal is done with complete service records, ACR/APAR details, and supporting documents.

Step 5: Step 05: Upload required documents and the submission of the recommendation is made by the state government or central organization to the competent authority.
Online
Step 05: Upload required documents and the submission of the recommendation is made by the state government or central organization to the competent authority.

Step 6: Step 01: Verification of ACR/APAR, vigilance status, and service records is conducted to ensure accuracy and eligibility.
Online
Step 01: Verification of ACR/APAR, vigilance status, and service records is conducted to ensure accuracy and eligibility.

Step 7: Step 02: Screening and evaluation are undertaken by committees constituted under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Online
Step 02: Screening and evaluation are undertaken by committees constituted under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Step 8: Step 03: Final recommendation is prepared based on merit, performance, and fulfillment of all eligibility conditions.
Online
Step 03: Final recommendation is prepared based on merit, performance, and fulfillment of all eligibility conditions.

Step 9: Step 04: Approval is granted by the competent authority and the President of India after due consideration.
Online
Step 04: Approval is granted by the competent authority and the President of India after due consideration.

Step 10: Step 05: Announcement and conferment of the award are carried out on national occasions, where the medal and citation are formally presented to the selected awardees.
Online
In exceptional cases, a duplicate medal shall be prepared only once for an awardee, subject to approval by the competent authority under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Step 11: Step 01: The applicant must submit a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) regarding the loss of the medal, along with full justification, through the proper official channel for consideration.
Online
Step 01: The applicant must submit a copy of the First Information Report (FIR) regarding the loss of the medal, along with full justification, through the proper official channel for consideration.

Step 12: Step 02: The cost for preparation of the duplicate medal shall be borne by the individual awardee and must be paid through a bank draft as prescribed by the India Government Mint.
Online
Step 02: The cost for preparation of the duplicate medal shall be borne by the individual awardee and must be paid through a bank draft as prescribed by the India Government Mint.

Step 13: Step 03: A penalty of ₹10,000 (Rupees Ten Thousand only) shall be imposed for the loss of the medal, which must be paid by the individual awardee in favour of the Pay and Accounts Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, through a d…
Online
Step 03: A penalty of ₹10,000 (Rupees Ten Thousand only) shall be imposed for the loss of the medal, which must be paid by the individual awardee in favour of the Pay and Accounts Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, through a demand draft.

Step 14: Step 04: The duplicate medal will be issued only after verification of documents, payment of the prescribed cost, and confirmation of penalty payment by the competent authority.
Online
Step 04: The duplicate medal will be issued only after verification of documents, payment of the prescribed cost, and confirmation of penalty payment by the competent authority.

Required Documents
• Service Record Certificate
• Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) / Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs)
• Vigilance Clearance Certificate
• Integrity Certificate
• Medical Fitness Certificate (SHAPE Category)
• Recommendation Letter From Competent Authority
• Citation Document Highlighting Service Contribution
• Cadre Clearance Certificate
• Verification Reports From IB/CBI/MHA (If Applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who awards the PSM?
A: The awards are conferred by the President of India.
<br>

Q: Who is eligible for these awards?
A: Personnel from police, CAPFs, fire services, prisons, and civil defence are eligible.
<br>

Q: What is the minimum service required for PSM?
A: A minimum of 25 years of service is required.
<br>

Q: Are ACR/APAR records important for selection?
A: Yes, performance records are a key evaluation criterion.
<br>

Q: Can a person with disciplinary action apply?
A: No, candidates must have a clean service record.
<br>

Q: Is there any reservation or preference?
A: Yes, preference is given to SC/ST, women, and minorities.
<br>

Q: Can the award be withdrawn?
A: Yes, it can be withdrawn in case of misconduct or criminal activity.
<br>

Q: Is there a monetary reward under this scheme?
A: No monetary benefit is specified; recognition is honorary.
<br>

Q: How often are the awards given?
A: The awards are given annually.
<br>

Q: What is the role of vigilance clearance?
A: It ensures the candidate has no pending disciplinary or criminal cases.
<br>

Q: Can missing ACRs affect eligibility?
A: Yes, more than one missing ACR leads to disqualification.
<br>

Q: Is physical fitness required?
A: Yes, SHAPE 1 category fitness is generally required.
<br>

Q: Who recommends candidates for the award?
A: State Governments and Central organizations recommend candidates.
<br>

Q: Can the award be given multiple times?
A: There are restrictions; repeated awards depend on eligibility and criteria.
<br>