Pune: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval was conferred with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 in Pune on Saturday, recognising his decades-long contribution to strengthening India’s national security architecture, counter-terrorism strategy and strategic affairs.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award at a ceremony held on the 106th death anniversary of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The honour, instituted by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the nation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shah praised Doval’s role in strengthening India’s internal and external security, saying his contribution to the country would occupy a significant place in its history.

Shah said Doval had played a crucial role in implementing several major national security decisions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and described the award as recognition of his exceptional service to the country.

#WATCH | Union Home Minister @AmitShah presents Lokmanya Tilak National Award to NSA Ajit Doval in Pune, Maharashtra.#AjitDoval #LokmanyaTilakNationalAward2026@HMOIndia @PIBHomeAffairs pic.twitter.com/w1pFIbXp1g

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 1, 2026

Doval Calls Honour ‘Deeply Humbling’

Accepting the award, Doval said he was deeply humbled by the recognition and invoked Tilak’s ideals of patriotism, sacrifice and duty.

He urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from the freedom fighter’s life and stressed that freedom was not merely the liberty to act as one wished, but also carried a responsibility to place the nation’s interests above individual considerations.

Doval said India was emerging as a stronger and more capable nation and called upon citizens, particularly young people, to contribute actively towards the goal of building a Viksit Bharat.

From Intelligence Operations to India’s Longest-Serving NSA

A 1968-batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre, Doval spent more than three decades in India’s intelligence establishment before heading the Intelligence Bureau.

His career has included assignments involving counter-terrorism, insurgency, intelligence and sensitive diplomatic negotiations. He has handled assignments in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram and other security-sensitive regions and has also served in Indian diplomatic missions abroad.

Doval has served as National Security Advisor since 2014, making him India’s longest-serving NSA. He has also served as India’s Special Representative for boundary negotiations with China.

The Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust had cited his contribution to counter-terrorism operations, strategic intelligence, border security and defence policy while announcing his selection for the 2026 award.

Award Instituted in 1983

The Lokmanya Tilak National Award was instituted in 1983 to commemorate the legacy of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and is presented every year on August 1, his death anniversary.

Over the years, the honour has been conferred on several prominent personalities, including former prime ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust president Dr Rohit Tilak, and other dignitaries attended Saturday’s ceremony.