Ajit Doval has been reappointed as the National Security Adviser for a third term, according to a government order issued on Thursday. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved Doval’s reappointment, effective from June 10.
“His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” stated the order.
Before this extension, Doval was already the longest-serving NSA, having started his first term in 2014 for five years, followed by a second term in 2019, which ended on June 5.
Additionally, on Thursday, the Centre reappointed Pramod Kumar Mishra as the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
About Ajit Doval
Ajit Kumar Doval KC PPM PM (born 20 January 1945) is a prominent bureaucrat, spymaster, and the current National Security Advisor (NSA) of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A former Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief and Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Kerala cadre, Doval has played a critical role in shaping India’s national security strategy.
Early Life and Education
Born in Ghiri Banelsyun village in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Doval’s father was an officer in the Indian Army. He completed his early education at the Ajmer Military School and earned a master’s degree in economics from Agra University in 1967.
Police and Intelligence Career
Doval joined the IPS in 1968 and served in various capacities, including as Assistant Superintendent of Police in Kottayam, Kerala. He spent significant parts of his career with the IB, including a stint as the head of its operations wing. Doval was deeply involved in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and played a crucial role in the termination of 15 hijackings of Indian Airlines aircraft from 1971 to 1999.
Notable Operations
- Operation Black Thunder (1988): Doval infiltrated the Golden Temple posing as an ISI agent, helping to sabotage the Khalistani separatists’ plans.
- IC-814 Hijacking (1999): Part of the team that negotiated the release of hostages from the hijacked plane in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
- Balakot Airstrike (2019): One of the key figures in planning and executing the airstrike on terrorist bases in Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.
Read about appointment of P K Mishra, principal secretary to Prime Minister
National Security Advisor
Appointed as NSA in May 2014, Doval has been instrumental in several key operations:
- 2014 Iraq Rescue: Facilitated the safe return of 46 Indian nurses trapped in Tikrit.
- Myanmar Operation (2015): Planned a cross-border operation against NSCN-K militants.
- Doklam Standoff (2017): Played a crucial role in resolving the standoff with China through diplomatic negotiations.
Contributions and Recognitions
Doval has been a central figure in shaping India’s security policies and has influenced major decisions such as the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. He was reappointed as NSA in June 2019 with the rank of a Cabinet Minister, the first NSA to hold such a position. He has received several honors, including the Kirti Chakra, becoming the first police officer to receive this military award. Doval has also been awarded honorary doctorates from multiple universities for his service.
Ajit Doval’s extensive career in intelligence and national security has made him one of India’s most powerful and trusted advisors, significantly impacting the country’s defense and strategic landscape.