The Indian government has announced the reappointment of Ajit Doval as the National Security Advisor (NSA) and PK Mishra as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister (PM), effective from June 10. Both officials will hold the rank of a cabinet minister in the table of precedence during their tenure.
According to government statements, these appointments are “co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” indicating their tenure will align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s term in office or until any subsequent directives.
Additionally, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the reappointment of Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor as advisors to the PM in the Prime Minister’s Office for two years, starting from June 10, with the rank and scale of Secretary to the Government of India.
These appointments underscore the confidence and trust placed by Prime Minister Modi in these officials, particularly Ajit Doval and PK Mishra, who have held crucial roles within the government for several years.
Ajit Doval, a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau and a 1968-batch IPS officer from the Kerala cadre, has been a trusted advisor to Prime Minister Modi since 2014. He holds the distinction of being the first police officer to receive the Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award.
In his capacity as National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval oversees the country’s national security apparatus, including anti-terrorism and intelligence agencies, making him one of the most influential figures in India’s security landscape.
PK Mishra, a Gujarat cadre IAS officer from the 1972 batch, assumed the role of Principal Secretary to the PM in 2019, succeeding Nripendra Misra. Before this, he served as the Additional Principal Secretary to the PM. Mishra holds a PhD in Economics/Development Studies from the University of Sussex, UK, adding a strong academic background to his administrative expertise.
These reappointments highlight the continuity and stability in key positions within the Indian government, ensuring a focused approach to national security and governance under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Sources By Agencies
