Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026
Why in News?
The Lokmanya Tilak National Award 2026 was presented to India's National Security Advisor (NSA), Ajit Doval, on August 1, 2026 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Pune, Maharashtra.
Key Details of the Award
- Conferring Body: The honour is presented annually by the Tilak Smarak Trust.
- Award Components: The prize includes a traditional memento, a citation, and a cash reward of ₹1 lakh.
- Core Philosophy: It recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and remarkable contributions to the progress and development of the nation.
Reasons for Selecting Ajit Doval
- Strategic Operations: Honoured for leading high-stakes counter-terrorism operations, covert missions, and critical border security negotiations.
- Key Achievements: He played a defining role in major national security events like Operation Black Thunder, the Doklam diplomatic standoff, and the Balakot airstrikes.
- Framework Development: Credited with laying the foundation of the Multi-Agency Centre (MAC), which acts as the backbone of India's intelligence sharing.
- Historic Tenure: He is a 1968-batch IPS officer, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and the longest-serving National Security Advisor in India's history.
