National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 at a function in Pune on 1st August 2026, marking the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The award, instituted by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, was presented by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Amit Shah Presents Lokmanya Tilak National Award to Ajit Doval

Amit Shah praised Doval's outstanding contribution to strengthening India's national security, noting his pivotal role in implementing key security decisions under PM Narendra Modi's leadership. Accepting the honour, Doval said he was humbled by the recognition and urged the younger generation to imbibe Tilak's ideals of patriotism and duty, adding that citizens must actively contribute to building a Viksit Bharat. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CMs Ekanath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohan, and Trust President Dr. Rohit Tilak were among the dignitaries present.

About Lokmanya Tilak National Award

An annual honour linked to freedom fighter and Kesari editor Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the award carries a memento, a citation and a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh, and is administered by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust.

About Ajit Doval

1. Born in Uttarakhand in 1945, Ajit Doval is India's fifth and current NSA and a retired IPS officer of the Kerala cadre. 
2. He supervised the 2016 surgical strikes and 2019 Balakot airstrikes, helped resolve the Doklam stand-off, and was a key negotiator during the 1999 IC-814 hijack. 
3. A former Intelligence Bureau field officer and founder-director of the Vivekananda International Foundation, he was reappointed NSA with Cabinet rank in 2019.