Ajit Doval Reappointed National Security Adviser (NSA)

The Centre on June 13 reappointed former IPS officer Ajit Doval as the National Security Adviser (NSA). His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or until further orders.

Who is Ajit Doval?

Ajit Doval (born on 20 January 1945), is a former spymaster and the current National Security Advisor (NSA) of India. He was Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief and a former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from Kerala cadre.

His Service and Tenure

• He previously served as the director of the IB in 2004–05, after working for a decade as the head of its operation wing.
• He worked as an undercover spy of IB for one year in Pakistan then 6 years as an officer in Indian high commission in Islamabad. He spent most part of his career as a spy of IB.
• His successful operation as a spy and intelligence head includes Operation Black Thunder 1988, rescue of 46 Indian national in Iraq, 2015’s operation versus Nagaland militants with the India army, to sabotage terror organisation PFI and many more.
• He is the founder director of the right of centre leaning think tank Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), before appointment as NSA. It was founded in December 2009.

About his achievement

Mr Doval, a former director of the Intelligence Bureau, is one of the Prime Minister’s most trusted aides and has been the National Security Advisor since 2014. He was the first policeman to be decorated with the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award behind Ashok Chakra.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

Kirti Chakra

• Established: 1952
• Awarded for: Awarded for conspicuous gallantry otherwise than in the face of the enemy.
• Equivalent: Maha Vir Chakra
• First awarded: 1952