New Delhi/Srinagar: IPS officer Sandeep Chaudhary, a 2012-batch officer of the Indian Police Service belonging to the AGMUT cadre, has been awarded the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for outstanding work in investigation. He headed the investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, one of the high-profile security cases associated with Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the medal for 2026, with a total of 490 personnel from States, Union Territories, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Central Police Organisations (CPOs) selected for the honour.
According to the Ministry, the award aims to recognise excellence in professional work, encourage high standards across security and investigative organisations, and boost the morale of personnel.
The medal was instituted by the MHA through a notification dated February 1, 2024. It is awarded to personnel from police forces, security organisations, intelligence wings, CAPFs, CPOs, the National Security Guard, Assam Rifles and forensic science departments for achievements in specified areas of service.
These include excellence in operations, outstanding investigation, exceptional performance, intelligence services and meritorious work in forensic science. The medal is announced annually on October 31 to mark the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Who Is IPS Sandeep Chaudhary?
Sandeep Chaudhary, whose surname is also spelt Choudhary in some sources, is a 2012-batch IPS officer of the AGMUT cadre. He has served in several challenging policing assignments in Jammu and Kashmir, including as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Anantnag and Srinagar.
His professional journey has drawn attention not only for his work in policing and investigations but also for his personal story. Coming from a financially constrained family, Chaudhary reportedly cleared 12 government examinations through self-study, without formal coaching, before entering the civil services.
His career has included grassroots government service, banking and competitive examinations before he secured a place in the Indian Police Service. Over the years, he has also become known for initiatives aimed at helping young people prepare for government jobs.
Early Life: Financial Hardship and Education Through Distance Learning
Chaudhary was born on September 29, 1986, and hails from Abohar in Punjab’s Fazilka district. According to biographical accounts, his family faced severe financial difficulties after his father died when he was 12 years old, shortly before his school board examinations.
The loss placed additional responsibilities on the family and affected his access to conventional education. Unable to afford the expenses associated with regular college education, he pursued higher studies through distance learning at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU).
He completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees through correspondence. His educational journey became an important part of his later story, demonstrating how he continued preparing for competitive examinations despite financial constraints and limited access to formal coaching.
Cleared 12 Government Examinations Without Formal Coaching
Before joining the IPS, Chaudhary reportedly cleared 12 government examinations through self-study. His early career began as a postal clerk, after which he qualified for banking employment and worked as a bank probationary officer and manager in Guwahati.
His other examination successes reportedly included recruitment examinations conducted by the Staff Selection Commission, selection as an Income Tax Inspector, the examination for Assistant Commandant in the Border Security Force (BSF), and NABARD recruitment. He also cleared the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) on his first attempt.
His eventual success in the UPSC Civil Services Examination marked a major turning point. He reportedly secured All India Rank 158 in his first formal attempt without attending a coaching institute. Accounts of his journey have also highlighted his interview performance.
His experience has since been cited as an example of preparation through independent study, persistence and the ability to overcome financial barriers.
‘Operation Dreams’: Helping Young People Prepare for Government Jobs
Alongside his policing responsibilities, Chaudhary has been associated with a youth-focused initiative called Operation Dreams.
The initiative reportedly began in 2017, when he was posted in South Jammu. During his tenure, he observed that many young people lacked access to resources and guidance for competitive examinations. To address this gap, he started a free morning coaching initiative using office space.
The programme aimed to help candidates prepare for recruitment examinations for police sub-inspector positions and other government jobs. According to accounts of the initiative, several young people benefited from the guidance and went on to clear competitive examinations.
The effort reflected an approach to public service that extended beyond law enforcement, focusing on education, career guidance and opportunities for young people who could not afford private coaching.
Known for Empathetic Policing During Srinagar Tenure
Chaudhary has also attracted attention for acts of personal assistance during his policing career.
During his tenure as SSP Srinagar, he reportedly donated ₹1 lakh from his personal savings to Abdul Rehman, a 90-year-old street vendor who had been robbed of his life savings. The gesture was widely reported as an example of his approach to community-oriented policing.
His assignments in Jammu and Kashmir have involved responsibilities in areas facing complex law-and-order and security challenges. He has served as SSP Anantnag and SSP Srinagar and has also headed the Cyber Crime Investigation Centre.
These roles have placed him in different areas of policing, including district-level law enforcement, investigations and cybercrime-related work.
Deputation to NIA and Promotion to DIG Rank
In late 2023, Chaudhary joined the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on central deputation as a Superintendent of Police (SP), according to the biographical information provided.
The NIA investigates specified offences relating to terrorism and national security. Chaudhary’s move to the agency placed him in a central investigative organisation after his earlier assignments in Jammu and Kashmir.
He was subsequently granted a proforma promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) by the Ministry of Home Affairs, as stated in the supplied biographical account.
His investigation-related experience and service record form part of the background to his latest recognition, the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for 2026.
Earlier Recognition for Gallantry
The Home Minister’s medal is not the first honour associated with Chaudhary’s service. He has also received the Jammu and Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry (JKPMG).
His latest award recognises outstanding investigation work, specifically in connection with his role in leading the probe into the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak recognises excellence across several areas of police and security work. Chaudhary’s selection places him among the 490 personnel honoured nationally in 2026.
His journey—from financial hardship and distance education to multiple competitive examination successes, policing assignments and a high-profile terror investigation—has also drawn attention to his work outside the conventional career path.
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