Three Tamil Nadu IPS Officers Selected for Investigation Medal

Three IPS officers from Tamil Nadu were selected for the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Investigation 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the award on 31 October 2026, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas.

Selected officers and award

The recipients are P. Aravindhan, Additional Director at the Narcotics Control Bureau; Madhu Kumari, Superintendent of Police and Commandant of the TSP-VI Battalion in Madurai; and V. Satish Kumar, Superintendent of Police in Tiruvarur district. Aravindhan has busted drug cartels operating on the darknet.

The medal recognises police officers across India for professionalism and exceptional contributions to investigation.

Important Facts for Exams

• NDPS Act basis: Under the NDPS Act, section 4(3) provides for a central authority to coordinate action against illicit drug trafficking; the NCB was constituted under this provision.
• IPS classification: The Indian Police Service is one of three All India Services, alongside the IAS and Indian Forest Service, governed by the All India Services Act, 1951.
• NCB international liaison: The NCB serves as India’s nodal agency for international cooperation on narcotics control, liaising with foreign governments and international organisations.