Ajit Doval reappointed NSA; elevated to cabinet minister rank

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, June 3

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Ajit Doval has been re-appointed as the National Security Adviser by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet and the post has been elevated to the Cabinet rank.

Doval, who served as the NSA in the first tenure of the Narendra Modi government, had held the rank of Minister of State. The new appointment takes place with effect from May 31, the Department of Personnel and Training order said.

Doval, a 1968 IPS officer, received a second term of five years and was elevated in recognition of his contribution to national security domain. It was on his watch that both Uri (2016) and Balakot (2019) surgical strikes took place.

Doval is expected to have a longer tenure than Brajesh Mishra, the first NSA appointed during the Vajpayee government (1998-2004). However, Mishra, also an IFS officer, held the charge concurrent to his post as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The elevation also puts an end to the speculation over the order of precedence since the former Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar took office as new Cabinet Minister holding the important portfolio of Foreign Affairs. Jaishankar, a 1977 Indian Foreign Service Officer, is junior to Doval.