NSA Ajit Doval To Receive Lokmanya Tilak National Award In Pune; HM Amit Shah To Present Honour

National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval will receive the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 at a ceremony in Pune on Saturday. The event coincides with the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Ahead of the ceremony, Dr Rohit Tilak, President of the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, announced the honour during a press conference.

The Trust selected Doval for his outstanding contribution to India’s national security, counter-terrorism efforts, covert operations and border protection.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will present the award at the Maharashtra Mandal Ground in Pune’s Gultekdi area.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar will attend the ceremony. Several other distinguished guests will also be present.

Ahead of the event, Amit Shah and Chief Minister Fadnavis reached Pune.

Authorities deployed extensive security arrangements around the venue to ensure the programme proceeds without disruption.

The Lokmanya Tilak National Award carries a memento, a citation and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

The Trust presents the honour annually to individuals who have delivered exceptional service to the nation in their respective fields.

The Trust recognised Doval for his remarkable contribution to protecting India’s strategic interests.

Throughout his distinguished intelligence career, he played a crucial role in Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam diplomatic negotiations and the Balakot air strike.

Ajit Doval, a 1968-batch IPS officer from the Kerala cadre, served India’s intelligence network for over three decades before leading the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He served in several sensitive regions, including Mizoram, Sikkim, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

Doval represented India in diplomatic missions in Islamabad and London.

Now 81, Doval remains India’s longest-serving National Security Adviser. He further continues to shape the country’s national security framework and strategic policy.

The award honours the enduring legacy of freedom fighter and nationalist leader Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

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