Ajit Doval appointed as National Security Advisor for third time

The Centre has re-appointed former IPS officer Ajit Doval as National Security Advisor for third term, making him the first NSA to be appointed to the key post for three consecutive terms.

Serving as the longest NSA, Doval, who held the position for the first time in May 2014 soon after PM Modi assumed office in his first term will continue to do so in Modi 3.0. A 1968 batch IPS officer, Doval is a renowned counter-terrorism expert and an expert on nuclear issues. Doval has served in Punjab as IB's operational chief.

"The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Ajit Doval, lPS (Retired) as National Security Adviser with effect from 10.06.2024. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier. During the term of his office, he will be assigned the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence," the official notice stated.


During his first tenure, Doval is believed to have played a pivotal role in the surgical strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after the Uri terror attack. He has also been widely hailed for his contribution to the national security domain, including his role during the Balakot air strike after the Pulwama terror attack, officials said. Doval was one of the main negotiators from India with the hijackers of Indian Airlines plane IC-814 taken to Kandahar in 1999. He worked with the IB for more than 33 years in different roles and in areas including the Northeast, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab. He served in the United Kingdom as well.

Along with Doval, the appointments committee of the cabinet also re-appointed PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr PK Mishra, IAS (Retired) as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister with effect from 10.06.2024. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders whichever is earlier," the Government of India stated in a letter.

Additionally, appointment of two IAS officers, Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor, has been approved as Advisors to Prime Minister Modi.

(with agency inputs)