15 RPF/RPSF Officers and Personnel Honoured for Distinguished and Meritorious Service Ahead of Independence Day 2026

Key Highlights

• Assistant Security Commissioner Rajesh Lal of the Railway Board receives the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM).
• 15 RPF/RPSF officers and personnel receive the Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM).
• The awards recognise contributions to railway security and passenger safety.

The President of India has conferred the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM) on officers and personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF) as part of the Independence Day 2026 honours.

Rajesh Lal, Assistant Security Commissioner, Railway Board, has been awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service.

Meanwhile, 15 officers and personnel from various railway zones and the Railway Protection Special Force have been recognised with the Medal for Meritorious Service.

Officers and Personnel Receiving the Medal for Meritorious Service

The awardees include:

• Satya Prakash, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, North Eastern Railway
• C. S. Chengappa, Assistant Security Commissioner, Southern Railway
• Krishna Kumar Mishra, Assistant Security Commissioner, North Eastern Railway
• Vivek Verma, Assistant Security Commissioner, North Central Railway
• Moni Taro, Inspector, Railway Protection Special Force
• Barun Prasad Laheri, Inspector, Railway Protection Special Force
• H. K. Doddaiah, Sub Inspector, South Western Railway
• Kailash Prasad, Sub Inspector, North Eastern Railway
• Naresh Kumar, Sub Inspector, Northern Railway
• Guru Prasad Nagarikanti, Sub Inspector, South Central Railway
• Ram Prasad Meena, Assistant Sub Inspector (MT), Railway Protection Special Force
• E Arun Moli, Assistant Sub Inspector, Southern Railway
• Vikas Kumar, Assistant Sub Inspector, North Central Railway
• Niraj Ahlawat, Assistant Sub Inspector, Northern Railway
• Shankar Shivswami Edle, Head Constable, Central Railway

Impact on Travel and Tourism

Railway security is a key component of India’s wider travel and tourism ecosystem, particularly as Indian Railways serves millions of passengers travelling for leisure, business and pilgrimage.

Recognition of RPF and RPSF personnel for distinguished and meritorious service highlights the importance of passenger safety, security and efficient railway operations. A secure rail network can strengthen traveller confidence, particularly among domestic and international tourists using trains to access major tourism destinations.

For the hospitality sector, improved passenger confidence in railway security can also support hotel occupancy, destination tourism and food and beverage businesses located around major railway stations and tourist hubs. Safe and reliable rail connectivity remains an important enabler of India’s broader tourism economy.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India | Posted on 14 August 2026.