It is named in honour of Russian author and poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.

The Medal of Pushkin is awarded to citizens of the Russian Federation with at least 20 years in socio-humanitarian activities for achievements in the arts and culture, education, humanities and literature, for great contributions to the study and preservation of the Russian cultural heritage, in the rapprochement and mutual enrichment of cultures of nations and peoples, for the creation of highly artistic images.

The obverse bears a self-portrait (line drawing) of Pushkin's left profile.

Under the signature near the lower rim of the medal, the letter "N" in relief and a line reserved for the award serial number.

[3] A medal awarded to Ian Blatchford in 2015, and personally presented by Vladimir Putin, was returned in March 2022, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.