New Delhi, Aug. 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval will be conferred with the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 at a ceremony in Pune on Saturday, marking the 106th death anniversary of freedom fighter and nationalist leader Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
The award, presented annually by the Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust, recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation in their respective fields. This year’s honour has been awarded to Doval for his distinguished service in strengthening India’s national security, counter-terrorism framework, covert operations and border security.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will present the award at a function to be held at Maharashtra Mandal Ground in Pune’s Gultekdi area. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Pawar, along with several other dignitaries, are expected to attend the event.
The award comprises a citation, a memento and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
The Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Trust announced Doval’s selection in recognition of his decades-long contribution to India’s security architecture. During his distinguished career, he has played key roles in several major strategic and security initiatives, including Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam diplomatic engagement and the Balakot air strike.
A 1968-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre, Doval spent more than three decades in India’s intelligence establishment before serving as Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Throughout his career, he held assignments in sensitive regions including Mizoram, Sikkim, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, besides serving in Indian missions in Islamabad and London.
Now 81, Doval is India’s longest-serving National Security Adviser and continues to play a central role in shaping the country’s strategic and national security policies.
Ahead of the ceremony, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived in Pune, where security has been strengthened in and around the venue to ensure the smooth conduct of the programme.
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