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Police Commemoration Day 2026

Learn about Police Commemoration Day 2026, observed on October 21 to honour brave police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Police Commemoration Day is observed across India every year on October 21 to pay tribute to police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

Police Commemoration Day – Important Facts

Observed on = 21 October every year.
Also known as = Police Martyrs’ Day.
Country = India.
Purpose = To honour police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Main significance = Commemorates the sacrifice of ten Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959.
National Police Memorial = Located in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

On 21 October 1959, a CRPF patrol was attacked by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in the Ladakh region.
Ten Indian police personnel were killed in the incident.
Their sacrifice became the basis for observing Police Commemoration Day every year.
The day honours not only those ten personnel but also police personnel across India who have died while performing their duties.
Police Commemoration Day 2026

Location = Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.
Dedicated to the nation = 21 October 2018, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Wall of Valour = Bears the names of police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
Purpose = To recognise the bravery, sacrifice and service of police personnel throughout India.

Wreath-laying ceremonies and tributes to police martyrs.
Police Commemoration Day parades.
Reading out the names of personnel who died in the line of duty.
Memorial events, police band displays and awareness programmes.
Activities such as blood donation camps, motorcycle rallies and essay competitions

When is Police Commemoration Day observed? = 21 October
Why is it observed? = To honour police martyrs
In which year did the incident at Hot Springs occur? = 1959
How many CRPF personnel were killed in the incident? = 10
Where did the incident take place? = Hot Springs, Ladakh
Who led the police party? = DCIO Karam Singh
When was the annual observance decided upon? = January 1960
Where is the National Police Memorial located? = Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Who dedicated the National Police Memorial to the nation? = Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In which year was the National Police Memorial dedicated? = 2018
Police Commemoration Day 2026