Established in 1932, the award was presented for meritorious service and gallantry that was of a lesser degree than what was required for the King's Police Medal.

On 23 February 1932, a royal warrant was promulgated establishing the Indian Police Medal.

The medal was meant to recognize both acts of meritorious and noteworthy service, as well as gallantry.

[2] A royal warrant in 1942 allowed the Viceroy of India, in exceptional circumstances, to raise the number of awards to 250 in a year.

In the middle are the words FOR GALLANTRY or FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE depending on the conditions under which the medal was awarded.