Police Commemoration Day 2026

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Key takeaways

India observes Police Commemoration Day annually on 21st October to honor law enforcement personnel killed in the line of duty.
The day commemorates 10 CRPF personnel killed by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh on 21st October 1959 under the leadership of DSP Karam Singh.
Since Independence, 36,852 police personnel have sacrificed their lives for national security, including 154 personnel honored in 2026.
The National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi was dedicated on 21st October 2018 and features a 30-foot granite monolith alongside the Wall of Valour.

National Police Commemoration Day was observed across India on 21st October 2026.
The Union Home Minister led the nation by laying a wreath at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi.
On this occasion, the Union Home Minister also flagged off a nationwide motorcycle rally themed Fight Against Drugs.

Police Commemoration Day is observed annually on 21st October across state police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Central Police Organisations (CPOs).
The observance traces back to 21st October 1959, when 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred during a patrol at Hot Springs, Ladakh after being ambushed by Chinese troops.
DSP Karam Singh led that patrol search team along the forward Indo-Tibet frontier when heavily armed Chinese troops opened fire.
In January 1960, the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police formally decided to observe 21st October as Police Commemoration Day nationwide.
The day highlights the vital roles police and paramilitary personnel play in counter-terrorism, left-wing extremism operations, border guarding, and disaster response.

Located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, the National Police Memorial was dedicated to the nation on 21st October 2018.
The memorial features a 30-foot granite monolith and a Wall of Valour bearing the names of fallen personnel.
According to official figures shared in 2026, a total of 36,852 police personnel have sacrificed their lives since Independence, including 154 personnel commemorated in 2026.
Commemorative events include ceremonial wreath-laying parades, roll calls at state headquarters and training academies, and an annual police pilgrimage to the Hot Springs Memorial in Ladakh.