BHOPAL – In a grand ceremony held at the Ravindra Bhawan in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav honored 101 police personnel with the prestigious K.F. Rustamji Awards. The event served as a major recognition of the state’s law enforcement officers who have shown exceptional bravery and professionalism in the line of duty, specifically during the service years of 2019-20 and 2021-22.
During his address, Chief Minister Yadav made a landmark announcement, declaring that Madhya Pradesh has successfully eradicated the menace of dacoity and has been officially recognized as the first state in India to become Naxal-free as of December 11, 2025.
Recognizing Excellence: The Award Categories
The K.F. Rustamji Awards, established in 2013, are named after the legendary Khusro Faramurz Rustamji, the founding Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF) and a former IG of Madhya Pradesh Police. This year, the awards were distributed across three distinct categories:
- Param Vishisht (7 recipients): The highest honor, where awardees were uniquely presented with ceremonial revolvers by the Chief Minister.
- Ati Vishisht (8 recipients): For exceptionally distinguished service.
- Vishisht (86 recipients): For outstanding merit and dedication to duty.
Strengthening the Force: New Recruitments and Welfare
CM Mohan Yadav utilized the platform to outline the government’s vision for a modern and robust police force. Highlighting the shift toward digital and cyber challenges, the Chief Minister announced several key initiatives:
- Massive Recruitment Drive: The government has set a target to fill 22,500 vacancies in the police department. Processes for 2023 and 2024 are complete, and a fresh recruitment drive for 10,000 posts is expected to begin in 2026.
- Housing Welfare: Plans are underway with the Housing Board to ensure police personnel receive housing facilities in their home districts, providing them with much-needed stability.
- Modernization: With the implementation of the Dial 112 service and advanced training for the upcoming Simhastha 2028, the MP police are being equipped to handle both modern crime and large-scale public events.
The Legacy of K.F. Rustamji
The Chief Minister paid tribute to K.F. Rustamji’s legacy, noting his pivotal role in eliminating the dacoit gangs of the Chambal region in the 1970s and 80s. Yadav emphasized that today’s police force carries that same spirit of “determination and strong leadership,” crediting the successful anti-Naxal strategy to the coordination between the State and Central governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Key Takeaways
- 101 Police Officers Honored: Awards were given for meritorious service during 2019-20 and 2021-22.
- Naxal-Free Status: Madhya Pradesh celebrated its status as a Naxal-free state, achieved in late 2025.
- Recruitment Boost: Over 22,000 total posts are targeted, with 10,000 new openings coming soon.
- Annual Tradition: The CM directed that the awards be organized annually to boost the morale of both active and retired personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the K.F. Rustamji Award? The K.F. Rustamji Award is a state-level honor in Madhya Pradesh given to police personnel for exceptional bravery and professional excellence. It was instituted in 2013.
2. Who was K.F. Rustamji? Khusro Faramurz Rustamji was a highly decorated police officer, the first DG of the BSF, and a former IG of MP Police. He is famous for tackling dacoity in the Chambal region and for his role in the first Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in India.
3. When did Madhya Pradesh become Naxal-free? According to the Chief Minister, the state achieved its Naxal-free status on December 11, 2025, following a coordinated effort against Left-wing Extremism.
4. How many police officers received awards this year? A total of 101 personnel were honored: 7 in the Param Vishisht category, 8 in Ati Vishisht, and 86 in the Vishisht category.
