NSA Ajit Doval Conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award; Amit Shah Presents Honour

NSA Ajit Doval Honoured with Lokmanya Tilak National Award

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has been bestowed with the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 for his exceptional contributions to the nation's national security, intelligence apparatus, and strategic policies. Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the award at a grand ceremony in Pune on Saturday, coinciding with the 106th death anniversary of freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Kataria High School ground in Mukundnagar, Pune, Amit Shah lauded Ajit Doval's role in nation-building, stating that he has played a historic part in strengthening India's foreign policy and security framework. The Home Minister emphasized Doval's crucial involvement in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's significant decisions related to national security, noting that his contributions will be forever remembered in India's security history.

“Ajit Doval has played a significant role in every major decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi related to national security. His contribution to India's security history will always be remembered.”

He further added that the nation is progressing on the path of cultural nationalism that was heralded by Lokmanya Tilak.

Doval Shares 76-Year-Old Memories of Pune

Accepting the award, NSA Ajit Doval expressed his gratitude to the Tilak Smarak Trust and shared his childhood experiences connected to Pune. He recounted how, approximately 76 years ago, when he was just 5 years old, his father was posted in Pune. During that time, he first learned about Tilak Maharaj from a teacher's speech on Bal Gangadhar Tilak's life during a school assembly, which sparked his curiosity to learn more about his life.

“I never imagined that after 76 years, I would come to the same city to receive this honour established in his memory. This is a matter of great fortune for me.”

History and Significance of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award

Established by the Tilak Smarak Trust in 1983, this award is presented annually on August 1st to eminent personalities who have made extraordinary contributions to nation-building. The list of previous recipients includes distinguished names such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, former President Pranab Mukherjee, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. In 2023, the award was conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This year's ceremony was presided over by Rohit Tilak, Chairman of the Tilak Smarak Trust. Several senior political leaders and dignitaries, including Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar, were present on the occasion.