Uttarakhand Police has received the President’s Colour, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah presenting the honour at a ceremony in Dehradun on November 6, 2026. The recognition came 25 years after the state was formed and made Uttarakhand the 16th state in India whose police force has received the honour.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and other senior dignitaries attended the investiture ceremony. It recognised the force’s work in maintaining law and order, protecting citizens, responding to disasters and providing security in the strategically important Himalayan state.
Shah dedicates the honour to 206 fallen personnel
Addressing the gathering, Shah paid tribute to 206 Uttarakhand Police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. He said the award reflected the dedication, discipline, courage and commitment of generations of personnel since Uttarakhand’s formation in November 2000.
He described the occasion as a proud moment for serving and retired officers and jawans who had helped build the force. Shah also praised its guiding motto, “Karm Satyam Shauryam”, and said those values formed the basis of its professional conduct.
The Home Minister noted that the force had grown from approximately 13,000 personnel to more than 26,000, while continuing to strengthen its operational capabilities.
Disaster response in challenging terrain
Shah commended Uttarakhand Police for its role in disaster management and rescue work across the state’s difficult terrain. He recalled the Silkyara tunnel rescue, in which workers trapped underground were brought to safety through a major multi-agency effort.
He also cited the police response to natural disasters in Dharali, Tharali, Syanchatti and Maldevta. Police personnel, including members of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), regularly face life-threatening emergencies involving landslides, forest fires and floods, he said.
Shah highlighted coordination between Uttarakhand Police and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), particularly in remote mountain areas where security personnel may be among the first responders. He said their courage and preparedness had helped build confidence among residents, tourists and pilgrims.
Security duties across border areas and pilgrimage routes
The Home Minister said the force’s responsibilities are shaped by Uttarakhand’s mountainous geography, international borders and religious tourism. Every year, lakhs of pilgrims visit Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib and Kainchi Dham.
Uttarakhand Police also manages security during major religious gatherings, including the Char Dham Yatra and Kumbh Mela. Shah praised the force for handling rising visitor numbers and protecting devotees travelling on difficult Himalayan routes.
He also pointed to the police’s contribution to the Vibrant Villages Programme, which aims to strengthen infrastructure and improve living conditions in border villages. Working alongside Central Armed Police Forces, Uttarakhand Police has supported efforts to address migration from remote settlements. Shah said people had begun resettling in at least 50 villages, describing this as an encouraging development for border communities.
Top position on the CCTNS/ICJS 2.0 Dashboard
Shah praised Uttarakhand Police’s progress in implementing India’s new criminal laws and adopting investigative technology. He said the force had ranked first nationally on the CCTNS/ICJS 2.0 Dashboard, with a score of 93.46, reflecting progress in digital policing and the integration of criminal justice institutions.
Electronic systems have strengthened coordination among police stations, courts, prisons, forensic science laboratories and prosecution agencies, according to Shah. He also highlighted the use of forensic science in investigations and the computerisation of police administration.
Shah expressed confidence that these reforms would help speed up investigations and judicial proceedings. He said the Uttarakhand government aimed to ensure that cases arising from FIRs registered after May 2027 would reach conviction within three years. This was presented as a government commitment, not as an outcome already achieved.
Drug-control campaign and counter-Naxal operations
Shah also addressed the campaign against narcotics trafficking and drug abuse. He said the central government had set a target of making India drug-free by December 31, 2029, and was intensifying action against organised drug-trafficking networks.
Praising Uttarakhand Police’s work against narcotics-related crime and cybercrime, he said he was confident the state could become drug-free within the next three years through coordinated enforcement and preventive measures.
On counter-Naxal operations, Shah credited state police forces and Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, ITBP, BSF and SSB, for their contributions to tackling Left-Wing Extremism. He reiterated the government’s claim that India had become free from Naxalism, while stressing the need for security agencies to remain alert to emerging threats.
Mount Everest ascent and 37 Games medals
Shah congratulated Uttarakhand Police for achievements beyond conventional policing. He highlighted its distinction as the first state police organisation in India to successfully scale Mount Everest.
He also praised the force for winning 37 medals at the World Police and Fire Games and encouraged it to improve its performance at the next edition, scheduled to take place in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
The President’s Colour as an institutional honour
The President’s Colour, also known as the President’s Police Colour, is a ceremonial honour awarded to police and other uniformed organisations for distinguished service, operational achievements and professional excellence. It symbolises dedication to duty, discipline, integrity and service to the nation.
For Uttarakhand Police, receiving the honour within 25 years of the state’s formation recognises its development and its responsibilities in security, disaster response and public safety. Shah said the award would strengthen morale and encourage personnel to maintain high standards of service.
He also extended Dhanteras and Diwali greetings to the people of Uttarakhand and the country. The ceremony recognised the force’s institutional record as well as the sacrifices of personnel who have served the people of the Himalayan state.
