Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 [1] to National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Pune, Maharashtra.
The award recognizes Doval's role as a primary architect of India's national security and foreign policy. By honoring the top security official, the government signals the high value it places on strategic autonomy, and the professionalization of intelligence and security operations.
During the ceremony, Shah said Doval is "fearless" [2]. He said the recognition would serve as a tremendous source of inspiration for citizens across all sectors who work for the country [3]. The event highlighted Doval's influence on the state's approach to internal and external threats.
Doval received the honor for his exceptional contributions to strategic policy [4]. The award is named after Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, linking modern security achievements to historical national service.
In his remarks, Doval said the state's requirements must be placed above individual ambition. He said the priority must be to "prioritise national interest over personal gains" [3].
This presentation in Pune marks one of the most significant civilian honors bestowed upon a sitting security official in recent years. The ceremony was attended by various dignitaries who lauded the National Security Advisor's career in the intelligence services, and his current advisory role to the Prime Minister [5].
“He is ‘fearless’.”
The conferral of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on Ajit Doval underscores the centralization of strategic decision-making within the National Security Council Secretariat. By linking Doval's modern security doctrine to the legacy of Tilak, the administration is framing current national security efforts as a continuation of India's historical struggle for sovereignty and strength.
