New Delhi has seen a notable recognition for the Delhi Police as IPS Officer Aishwarya Singh, a 2021-batch officer of the AGMUT cadre and currently serving as Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (South District), Delhi Police, has been selected for the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak in the Investigation category for 2026. The announcement came from the Ministry of Home Affairs on October 31, which also marked the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was observed as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day).
What the award recognises
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak was instituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs through a notification dated February 1, 2024. It is intended to honour excellence in operations, outstanding investigation, exceptional performance, intelligence work, and contributions to forensic science. According to the announcement for 2026, 490 personnel from States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) were selected for the honour.
Among the 2026 awardees, 123 were recognised for excellence in investigation, 358 for special operations, and nine for forensic science. Delhi Police accounted for 36 awardees in the special operations category, reflecting the force’s presence in that segment of the list.
Significance of the recognition
The award is presented annually on October 31 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. As described in the official note, the purpose of the medal is to acknowledge exemplary professional work, encourage high standards of service, and improve morale among police and security personnel.
Background of Aishwarya Singh
Aishwarya Singh is a native of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and comes from a family with a strong public service background. Her father, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, is a 1991-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre and has served in senior roles in the Assam Police, including Special Director General (Law and Order) and Special Director General of the Anti-Rhino Poaching Task Force. Her mother, Anamika Singh, previously served in the Assam Civil Service.
Because of her father’s postings, Singh completed her schooling in Assam and later graduated from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi. She cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination on her first attempt with All India Rank 249, which secured her the Indian Revenue Service, and later appeared again to obtain AIR 97 in 2021 and join the IPS.
Her previous postings include Assistant Commissioner of Police (Lajpat Nagar), and she was recently promoted to Additional DCP. She has also received public appreciation for handling public order situations in the national capital in a composed and professional manner.
Official list and broader context
The full list of 2026 awardees has been made available on the Ministry of Home Affairs website. Singh’s recognition adds to the list of young officers being acknowledged for professional policing and investigation work across the country.
