IRS officer, territorial Army Lt Col Pradeep Shoury Arya awarded Sena Medal for gallantry

Lieutenant Colonel Pradeep Shoury Arya, an officer of the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) and the Territorial Army, was conferred with the Sena Medal (Gallantry) on the eve of the 77th Republic Day in 2026 for his role in counter-narco-terror operations. The award was approved by President Droupadi Murmu as part of the Republic Day gallantry honours.Lt Col Arya, a 2004-batch IRS officer and currently serving as Commissioner of Income-Tax, is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. With this honour, he becomes the first civil servant and Indian Revenue Service officer to receive the Sena Medal (Gallantry), marking a rare instance of recognition for gallantry to an officer simultaneously serving in civil administration and the Armed Forces.According to details shared by the IRS Association, the Sena Medal has been conferred for Lt Col Arya’s operational role in anti–narco-terror missions. While specific operational details remain classified, the award recognises acts of individual courage and devotion to duty in active military operations.Lt Col Arya is among the 44 personnel who received the Sena Medal (Gallantry) this year, as part of the 70 gallantry awards announced on the eve of Republic Day. The overall list includes one Ashok Chakra, three Kirti Chakras, 13 Shaurya Chakras, one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 44 Sena Medals (Gallantry), six Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry).His military record includes earlier gallantry and service honours. Lt Col Arya is also a recipient of the Shaurya Chakra and the Vishisht Seva Medal, reflecting sustained operational and service contributions over the years.Serving with the Territorial Army’s Parachute Regiment, Lt Col Arya has balanced his responsibilities in uniform with his role in the civil services, an aspect that has drawn attention within official and service circles. The IRS Association, in a statement, said his recognition brings pride to the service and highlights his contribution to national security alongside his civil responsibilities.The Sena Medal (Gallantry) is awarded for acts of exceptional courage in the face of the enemy or during counter-insurgency and security operations, and Lt Col Arya’s inclusion in the list underscores the growing role of integrated efforts in addressing security challenges such as narco-terrorism.