Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 1st August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to National Security Advisor (NSA) Shri Ajit Doval in Pune on August 1, 2026. The event, held on the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak, recognized Shri Doval’s extensive contributions to India's internal and external security apparatus. The ceremony emphasized the path of cultural nationalism and the modernization of the nation's armed forces.
Key Points / Main Content
Recognition of Shri Ajit Doval
Shri Ajit Doval was honored for his status as the longest-serving National Security Advisor and his lifetime of dedication to national service.
His career highlights include serving as an Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer since 1972 and working in high-risk areas such as the Northeast, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Pakistan.
He is credited with laying the foundation of the Multi Agency Centre (MAC), which currently serves as the backbone of India's internal security.
Legacy of Lokmanya Tilak
The document highlights Tilak’s introduction of "cultural nationalism" and his mantra, "Swaraj is my birthright," as foundational to India's freedom struggle.
Tilak’s contributions to education were noted through his establishment of the New English School, Deccan Education Society, and Fergusson College.
His work as a journalist through Kesari and The Maratha was cited as a primary force in awakening national consciousness.
National Security and Modernization
Under the current government, technology and military prowess have been fused to enhance the striking power of the armed forces.
The document notes a successful coordinated investigation that solved the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts and 13 other cases across the country.
Over the past 12 years, transformative changes have been made to strengthen both defensive capabilities and offensive preparedness.
Impact Analysis
Shri Ajit Doval (National Security Advisor)Impact: Formally acknowledged for his extraordinary contributions to national security and recognized as a "golden page" in the history of the country's governance.
Action Required: None specified; he continues his tenure as the longest-serving NSA.
Indian Youth and CitizensImpact: Identified as the primary audience to be inspired by the lives of Lokmanya Tilak and Shri Ajit Doval.
Action Required: Encouraged to read the life, speeches, and writings of Tilak Maharaj and study the Bhagavad Gita from his perspective to foster discipline and national duty.
Security and Intelligence AgenciesImpact: Beneficiaries of the strengthened Multi Agency Centre (MAC) and the integration of technology into the armed forces.
Action Required: Continue utilizing the established national security apparatus to maintain internal and external security.
The Society at LargeImpact: Reminded of the responsibility to honor eminent individuals who make extraordinary contributions to the nation.
Action Required: Emulate exemplary personalities to fulfill the collective sense of duty toward the nation and the Constitution.
Key Entities Referenced
Lokmanya Tilak National Award: A prestigious national award presented to individuals for extraordinary contributions to the country, conferred upon National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in 2026.
Shri Ajit Doval: The National Security Advisor (NSA) of India, recognized for his long-standing service and pivotal role in strengthening the country's national security apparatus and the Multi Agency Centre.
Multi Agency Centre (MAC): An intelligence-sharing platform described as the backbone of India's internal security, which was significantly strengthened to coordinate investigations into national security threats.
Pune, Maharashtra: The central location where the award ceremony was held and a city historically significant to the legacy and educational initiatives of Lokmanya Tilak.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah presents the
Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 to National
Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval in Pune,
Maharashtra
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
"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
Today’s youth should read the life, speeches and writings of
Tilak Maharaj and draw inspiration from them
Read the Gita from Tilak Maharaj’s perspective, and you will
never make a mistake in life
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
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
Under the leadership of PM Modi, Ajit Doval Ji played an
important role in making the national security apparatus
stronger
Under the Modi government, the Multi Agency Centre (MAC)
has become the backbone of the country’s internal security,
and the strong foundation of MAC was laid by Shri Ajit DovalJi as its founding chairman
Under the leadership of Modi Ji, technology and valour were
fused in the armed forces to enhance their striking power: Ajit
Doval Ji also made a significant contribution to it
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
Union Home Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of
Annabhau Sathe Ji on his birth anniversary
प्रव तथ: 01 AUG 2026 5:29PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah today presented the Lokmanya Tilak
National Award 2026 to National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval in Pune, Maharashtra. On the occasion,
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Shri Eknath Shinde and Smt.
Sunetra Pawar, Union Minister of State for Cooperation Shri Murlidhar Mohol, along with several other
dignitaries, were present.
In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that today marks
the 106th death anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He said that Tilak Maharaj gave the
mantra, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,” to provide a new direction and meaning to India's
freedom struggle. He added that complete Swaraj can be achieved only when our system of governance,
language, culture, and religion are firmly established. Shri Shah said that Tilak Maharaj connected the
masses with the movements for Swaraj and independence. He further stated that Tilak Maharaj introduced
a new form of nationalism—cultural nationalism—into the freedom movement. Shri Shah said that TilakMaharaj also charted the course the nation would follow in the future, asserting that whenever India
attained independence, it would progress along this very path. Today, he said, the country has embarked
on the path of cultural nationalism.
Shri Amit Shah said that Lokmanya Tilak was a teacher and an outstanding journalist. As a great thinker,
he gave expression to the soul of India before the world and ignited the spirit of Swaraj in the hearts of
millions. He said that throughout the freedom movement, there was no one comparable to Lokmanya Bal
Gangadhar Tilak—a visionary, an exceptional teacher, a fearless journalist, a profound thinker, and a
Karmayogi.
Union Home Minister said that Tilak Maharaj presented before the nation the practical essence of the
Bhagavad Gita. He established a complete educational ecosystem in Pune, beginning with the New English
School, followed by the Deccan Education Society, and culminating in Fergusson College. Tilak Maharaj
believed that the true purpose of education was to enlighten the intellect with knowledge. Shri Shah said
that if the British feared any newspapers, they feared Kesari and The Maratha. He noted that Tilak Maharaj
was the first to establish that even if independence were achieved, it would hold little value unless the
national consciousness of the people had first been awakened. Tilak Maharaj also emphasized that national
strength can never be built without organization and the collective power of the people. Through various
public festivals, he united not only the people of Maharashtra but also citizens across the country. Shri
Shah further said that self-reliance, discipline, and a sense of duty towards the nation and the Constitution
are also integral to Swaraj. He added that the life, thoughts, and writings of Tilak Maharaj continue to serve
as a source of inspiration for today's youth and adolescents.
Shri Amit Shah said that today Shri Ajit Doval has been conferred the Lokmanya Tilak National Award.
He said that an award is not merely a medal; it is a means of inspiring people and acknowledging the
outstanding contributions of eminent individuals. When a person makes an extraordinary contribution in
any field of society, he ceases to remain just an individual and rises far above, becoming an enduring
source of inspiration. It is the responsibility of society to honour such individuals. He said that by doing
so, society not only fulfils its sense of duty but also inspires others to emulate such exemplary
personalities. Shri Shah added that the conferment of the Lokmanya Tilak National Award on Shri Ajit
Doval will serve as a great source of inspiration for every citizen who lives and works in the service of the
nation.Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that when Shri Narendra Modi was the Chief
Minister of Gujarat, a series of bomb blasts took place in the state. At that time, Shri Narendra Modi had
said that the Gujarat Police should investigate not only those bomb blasts but also the individuals involved
in them, as well as all the bomb blasts that had occurred across the country. Union Home Minister said
that Shri Modi had then directed that Shri Ajit Doval be called to work alongside the Gujarat Police in
carrying out the investigation. He added that, as a result, the Gujarat Police succeeded in solving not only
the Ahmedabad serial bomb blasts but also 13 bomb blast cases from across the country through a
coordinated investigation.
Shri Amit Shah said that whenever the history of Shri Narendra Modi's tenure is written and the country's
internal and external security is assessed, Shri Ajit Doval will undoubtedly have a golden chapter
dedicated to his contributions. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,
India's foreign policy has become significantly stronger, and the country has firmly established its position
in the world with dignity and respect. Shri Shah added that Shri Ajit Doval has made an immense
contribution to this achievement of the Modi Government.
Union Home Minister said that from 1972 until he became the Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB),
Shri Ajit Doval served as a dedicated Intelligence Bureau officer and played an active role in addressing
every major security challenge faced by the country. He said that Shri Doval made extraordinary
contributions while serving in the Northeast, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, and Pakistan,
contributions that are beyond description or assessment. He further said that Shri Ajit Doval also served in
Pakistan for six years, including during a highly crucial period, making invaluable contributions to the
nation's security.
Shri Amit Shah said that after 2019, the Modi Government worked to strengthen the Multi Agency Centre
(MAC), which today serves as the backbone of the country's internal security. He said that it was Shri Ajit
Doval who laid the strong foundation of the MAC. Shri Shah further said that when Shri Narendra Modi
became the Prime Minister of India in 2014, he appointed Shri Ajit Doval as the National Security
Advisor. He added that Shri Doval also holds the distinction of being the longest-serving National
Security Advisor of the country.Union Home Minister said that during Shri Ajit Doval's tenure as National Security Advisor, Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi took several landmark decisions to modernize India's Armed Forces,
introduce contemporary reforms, and achieve an exceptional integration of technology and military
prowess within the forces. He said that Shri Doval's extensive experience has been instrumental in shaping
many of Prime Minister Modi's decisions. Shri Shah further stated that over the past 12 years, Prime
Minister Modi has brought about a transformative change in strengthening the defensive capabilities and
offensive preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces, and that Shri Ajit Doval has made a significant
contribution to this achievement.
Union Home Minister paid floral tributes to the statue of Annabhau Sathe Ji on his birth anniversary.
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