SUNIL NEGI
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will be conferred the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award on August 1, 2026, in recognition of his decades-long service and contribution to strengthening India’s national security. The award instituted in memory of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak is given every year to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation in public life, nation-building and service to society.
The honour acknowledges Doval’s role in strategic affairs, counterterrorism, intelligence operations and public service over a career spanning more than four decades. Regarded as one of India’s most respected security strategists, he began his career in the Intelligence Bureau in 1968 and went on to handle some of the most sensitive internal and external security challenges faced by the country. From operations in Punjab and the Northeast to shaping India’s counterterror doctrine, his work has been central to how India approaches both traditional and new-age threats.
As National Security Adviser since 2014, Doval has played a key role in crafting India’s security policy, border management, and diplomatic engagement on issues ranging from cross-border terrorism to cyber security and maritime security. He is credited with institutionalizing a more proactive and coordinated approach across intelligence agencies, the armed forces and the Ministry of External Affairs, and for pushing a doctrine that emphasizes deterrence, decisive response and protection of national interests.
Officials associated with the award committee said Doval was selected for his unwavering commitment to national interest, his strategic clarity in times of crisis, and his ability to combine intelligence, diplomacy and policy into a cohesive national security framework. His emphasis on technology-driven security, internal cohesion and self-reliance has also been noted.
The award ceremony will be held in Pune on August 1, the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. Past recipients of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award include eminent leaders, scientists, social workers and public figures who have made lasting contributions to the country. With this recognition, Doval joins the list of Indians honoured for service that has had a direct impact on the safety, unity and strength of the nation.
