New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 on Saturday, with the union Home Minister Amit Shah describing him as one of the key architects of India’s strengthened national security framework.
Presenting the award at a ceremony in Pune, Maharashtra, Shah said the honour would inspire citizens across professions to dedicate themselves to national service.
The Home Minister linked the occasion with the legacy of freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, whose 106th death anniversary was observed on Saturday. He said Tilak’s philosophy of cultural nationalism continues to shape modern India.
“India has now set out on the path of cultural nationalism shown by Lokmanya Tilak Ji, the great awakener of national consciousness; no one can stop it now, even if they want to,” Shah said.
Recalling Tilak’s famous slogan, Shah remarked, “‘No one is going to accord Swaraj to the people of this country; it is the people’s right.’ How divine that moment must have been when Tilak Maharaj uttered these words.”
Praising Doval’s contribution to national security, Shah said the award recognised a lifetime of service to the nation. “The conferment of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on Ajit Doval Ji will become a great source of inspiration for citizens from every field who live and work for the country,” he said.
Describing Doval’s career as an example of commitment and patriotism, Shah said, “The life of Ajit Doval Ji, who has held the post of NSA for the longest time, is an example of dedication to national service and the security of the country.”
Highlighting Doval’s role in strengthening India’s security architecture, Shah said the National Security Advisor had played a pivotal role in modernising the country’s intelligence and defence systems.
“Under the leadership of PM Modi, Ajit Doval played an important role in making the national security apparatus stronger,” he said.
Shah noted that the Multi Agency Centre (MAC) had emerged as the backbone of India’s internal security after being strengthened by the Modi government, adding that Doval, as its founding chairman, had laid its roots.
The Home Minister also credited Doval with contributing to reforms that enhanced the Armed Forces’ operational capabilities.
“Under the leadership of Modi, technology and valour were fused in the armed forces to enhance their striking power. Ajit Doval also made a significant contribution to it,” Shah said.
Recalling Doval’s career in the Intelligence Bureau, Shah said he had served the country in some of its most challenging security environments, including the Northeast, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim and Pakistan, before becoming Director of the Intelligence Bureau and later National Security Advisor in 2014.
Shah also referred to Doval’s involvement in investigations into the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts and several other terror cases while assisting the Gujarat Police during Narendra Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister.
Summing up Doval’s contribution, Shah said, “When the history of Modi Ji’s tenure is written and an assessment is made of the country’s internal and external security, a golden page about Ajit Doval Ji will be included in it.”
Earlier in the day, the union Home Minister also paid floral tributes to the statue of social reformer and writer Annabhau Sathe on his birth anniversary in Pune. UNI PWS CDS
