IPS officer Anukriti Sharma selected for 2026 Home Minister’s Medal

Uttar Pradesh IPS officer Anukriti Sharma was selected for the 2026 Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation. A 2020-batch officer, Sharma is serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police for Women’s Safety in Gautam Buddh Nagar. She was transferred there from Sambhal in February 2026. In Sambhal, she led the investigation into an alleged inter-state fake insurance scam involving more than ₹100 crore. Sharma joined the IPS in 2020 after securing All India Rank 138 in her fifth UPSC Civil Services Examination attempt.

Notable Points

• Administration of police medals: The Police Medals and Awards Cell within the Ministry of Home Affairs processes and manages service and gallantry medals for police and other listed civil forces.
• IPS recruit training: IPS recruits train at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad. After nearly two years of training, probationers receive a master’s degree in criminal justice management from NALSAR University of Law.
• Supreme Court police-reform directions (2006): The Supreme Court’s 2006 police-reform directions called for separate arrangements for investigation and patrolling, a State Security Commission, a Police Establishment Board and a Police Complaints Authority.