Kanika Yadav IPS Wins Best Lady Probationer in Physical Training Medal at SVPNPA Hyderabad

IPS probationer Kanika Yadav has been awarded the Medal for Best Lady Probationer in Physical Training (PT) at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) in Hyderabad. She belongs to the 78th Regular Recruits (78 RR) batch of the Indian Police Service and has been allotted the AGMUT cadre.

The medal was given at the Director’s Parade held at the academy on 12 October 2026.

About the parade

This parade is held at the academy before the final passing out parade of each IPS batch, known as the Dikshant Parade. It marks the last stage of the officer trainees’ basic training at the academy.

Key details of this year’s parade:

• Officer trainees: 151 trainees took part, including 16 from foreign countries.

• Parade commander: IPS probationer Gourav Uppal of the Punjab cadre led the parade.

• Review: SVPNPA Director Sujeet Pandey inspected the parade and addressed the officer trainees.

Other award winners

Along with Kanika Yadav, several other officer trainees were honoured for their performance in training:

• Vijay Raghav Goyal (Bihar cadre): Received the Mehta Cup and the Medal for Best Probationer in Musketry.

• Kuhoo Garg (Gujarat cadre): Received the Medal for Best Probationer in Drill.

• Pema Wangdi (Royal Bhutan Police): Received the Medal for Best Gentleman Probationer in Physical Training.

Why physical training matters at SVPNPA

Physical training is a key part of an IPS officer’s training at the academy. It is designed to build endurance, strength, agility and discipline, all of which officers need in the field. Police officers often have to lead from the front during law and order situations, long patrols, disaster relief and operations in tough terrain.

Winning the top PT medal among lady probationers shows Kanika Yadav’s fitness, hard work and determination throughout her training. The award places her among the best performers of her batch in one of the most demanding parts of the course.

What does AGMUT mean?

AGMUT stands for Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories. Officers in this cadre can be posted across these states and the Union Territories, including Delhi. This means they may serve in very different settings, from big cities to remote border and hill areas. Cadre allotment is done by the government based on factors such as the officer’s rank in the exam, their preferences and the vacancies available.

About SVPNPA

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad is India’s main training institution for IPS officers. It is named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister.

Training at the academy combines classroom studies on law and policing with physical conditioning, weapons training, leadership development and practical policing skills. The academy also trains police officers from friendly foreign countries, such as Bhutan, which is why foreign trainees took part in this year’s parade.

What comes next for the 78 RR batch

After the passing out parade, the IPS probationers of this batch will move to their allotted cadres for district-level practical training. After completing this, they will take up their first postings as police officers in different parts of the country.

A note for aspirants

Candidates join the IPS through the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Selection is only the first step. As awards like this show, officers must also prove themselves through months of tough physical and professional training at the academy before they take charge in the field.

For aspirants preparing for uniformed services, the message is simple: written exams open the door, but physical fitness and discipline decide how well you do once you are in. Whether you are aiming for the police or the armed forces, start building running stamina and basic strength early, as every training academy puts heavy weight on it.