NSA Ajit Doval receives Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026

Aug 01, 2026

1 min read

VIVEK NALI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday (1 August) conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
As per the Tilak Smarak Trust, Ajit Doval was chosen for the distinguished honour in recognition of his notable role in strengthening national security.
The 81-year-old has managed several sensitive postings over his career, including in Mizoram, Sikkim, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, and also worked in diplomatic capacities at Indian missions in Islamabad and London.
Doval holds the record as the country’s longest-serving NSA. He has functioned as India’s special representative in the boundary discussions with China and is regarded as having contributed significantly to the diplomatic efforts that defused the Doklam standoff.
The Lokmanya Tilak Award, set up in 1983, was first given to socialist leader S M Joshi, according to the Trust. It is presented annually on 1 August, the death anniversary of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the nation’s growth and development.