[2] Established on 27 July 1888, the Indian Meritorious Service Medal could be awarded to one Daffadar or Havildar of each of the regiments of the Presidency armies.

[3] To be awarded the medal men must have served at least 18 years and had performed in a meritorious manner, with no courts-martial, and having been entered in the defaulters book fewer than five times.

[4] Recipients of the Indian Meritorious Service Medal had to surrender any previously awarded Indian Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

The obverse depicts the effigy of the reigning sovereign.

Around the edge is the inscription of the sovereign's regnal name and the title KAISAR-I-HIND.