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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Civic Brief • Politics

Ajit Doval

Ajit Doval is an Indian intelligence and police officer who has served as India’s National Security Adviser since 2014.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Ajit Doval is a retired Indian police and intelligence officer who has served as India’s National Security Adviser since 2014. He is widely regarded as a key figure in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national security team.

What it is

Ajit Doval is India’s National Security Adviser, a role he has held since 30 May 2014. He is a retired Indian Police Service officer from the Kerala cadre and previously served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau from 2004 to 2005. Born on 20 January 1945 in Pauri Garhwal (now Uttarakhand), he studied at Agra University before joining the IPS in 1968.

Why it matters

As National Security Adviser, Doval is a central figure in India’s national security and strategic planning. His decisions and public statements can affect India’s foreign and security policy, which matters for Canada–India relations, diplomacy, and diaspora-related policy discussions. He has been associated with major security decisions and crises.

Key details

Doval was reappointed as NSA in 2019. He is frequently described in Indian media as one of Prime Minister Modi’s most influential advisers. His career includes work in intelligence, internal security, and counter-insurgency, and he has been linked to policy and strategic institutions outside government.

In short

  • India’s National Security Adviser since May 2014.
  • Retired IPS officer and former Intelligence Bureau director.
  • Key adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on security matters.
  • Born 20 January 1945 in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.
Canadian angle

Ajit Doval is relevant to Canadian readers because India is a major international partner and global power, and Doval’s role affects India’s foreign and security policy. His decisions and public statements can therefore matter in Canada–India relations, diplomacy, and diaspora-related policy discussions.

Quick questions

Who is Ajit Doval?
Ajit Doval is an Indian retired police and intelligence officer who has served as National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of India since 2014.
What was his previous government role?
He served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau from 2004 to 2005.
Is he still in office?
Yes. As of the latest available sources, he continues to serve as India’s National Security Adviser.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajit_Doval
    Supports: Reappointment in 2019, personal rank of Cabinet Minister, and description of his long tenure as NSA.
  2. The Hindu — https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ajit-doval-the-spy-who-came-in-from-the-cold/article32053422.ece
    Supports: Birth year and place, upbringing, father’s military service, and IPS entry in 1968.
  3. India TV News — https://www.indiatvnews.com/profile/ajit-doval/news
    Supports: Current NSA role, prior service as Director of the Intelligence Bureau, birth in 1945, and graduation details.
  4. Business Standard — https://www.business-standard.com/about/who-is-ajit-doval
    Supports: Current NSA role, retirement as IPS officer, and broad overview of his career.
  5. Jagran Josh — https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/ajit-doval-biography-1594037328-1
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, and appointment as NSA in 2014 and reappointment in 2019.