National Security Advisor (India): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Executive officer of the Indian National Security Council}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
| post = National Security Advisor
| post = National Security Advisor
| body = India  
| body = India
| native_name = Bhārat kē Rāṣṭrīya Surakṣā Salahkar
| native_name = ''Rāṣṭrīya Surakṣā Parāmarśadātā''
| flag = Flag of India.svg
| flag = Flag of India.svg
| flagsize = 100px
| flagsize = 100px
| flagborder = yes
| flagborder = yes
| insignia = Emblem of India.svg
| insignia = Emblem of India.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| insigniasize = 50px
| insigniasize = 50px
| flagcaption = [[Flag of India]]
| flagcaption = [[Flag of India]]
| insigniacaption = [[Emblem of India]]
| insigniacaption = [[Emblem of India]]
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]] (ACC)
| appointer = [[Appointments Committee of the Cabinet]] (ACC)
| image = Ajit Doval.png
| image = National Security Advisor of India Ajit Kumar Doval.jpg
| incumbent = [[Ajit Doval]], [[Kirti Chakra|KC]]
| incumbent = [[Ajit Doval]], [[Kirti Chakra|KC]]
| incumbentsince = 30 May 2014
| incumbentsince = 30 May 2014
| inaugural = [[Brajesh Mishra]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| inaugural = [[Brajesh Mishra]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| formation = {{Start date and age|1999|11}}
| formation = {{Start date and age|1999|11|19|df=y}} by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| member_of = [[Defence Planning Committee]] (Chairperson)<br>[[National Security Council (India)|Strategic Policy Group]] (Chairperson)<br>[[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]] (Secretary)
| member_of = {{plainlist|
| deputy = [[Dattatray Padsalgikar|D Padsalgikar]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] <br> [[Vikram Misri]], IFS<ref>{{cite news |title=Vikram Misri, ex-envoy to China, named deputy NSA |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vikram-misri-ex-envoy-to-china-named-deputy-nsa-7693890/ |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=The Indian Express |date=28 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref><br> [[Rajinder Khanna]], [[Research and Analysis Wing|R&AW]] <br> [[Lieutenant General (India)|Lieutenant General]] [[Anil Chauhan]] (Retd), Military Advisor <br>
* [[Defence Planning Committee]] (Chairperson)
* [[National Security Council (India)|Strategic Policy Group]] (Chairperson)
* [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]] (Secretary)
}}
| deputy = {{plainlist|          * [[Rajinder Khanna]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] (Additional NSA)
* [[T. V. Ravichandran]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
* [[Pavan Kapoor]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
* [[Anish Dayal Singh]], [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
}}
| type = National Security Advisor
| status = Chief advisor to the Prime Minister of India on national security policy and international affairs
| abbreviation = NSA
| abbreviation = NSA
| department = [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council Secretariat]] (NSCS)
| department = [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council Secretariat]] (NSCS)
| salary = {{INRConvert|162500|lk=on}} {{Small|(monthly)}}
| salary = {{INRConvert|162500|lk=on}} {{Small|(monthly)}}
| seat = [[Secretariat Building, New Delhi|Secretariat Building]], [[New Delhi]], [[India]]
| seat = Seva Teerth<br>[[New Delhi]], [[Delhi]], [[India]]
| term_length = {{raise|0.0em|No fixed tenure is imposed on the office but term can be extended.}}
| termlength = {{raise|0.0em|No fixed tenure is imposed on the office but term can be extended.}}
| residence = Bungalow 5, [[Janpath|Janpath Road]], [[New Delhi]]
}}
}}
{{Politics of India}}
{{Politics of India}}
The '''National Security Advisor''' ('''NSA'''; [[ISO 15919|ISO]]: {{transl|hi|ISO|Rāṣṭrīya Surakṣā Salahkar}}) is the senior official on the [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]] of India, and the chief advisor to the [[Prime Minister of India]] on [[national security]] policy and [[international affairs]]. [[Ajit Doval]] is the current NSA, and has the same rank as a [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet Minister]].
The '''National Security Advisor''' ('''NSA''') is the senior official on the [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]] [[India|of the Republic of India]], and the chief advisor to the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister of the Republic of India]] on [[national security]] policy and [[international affairs]]. [[Ajit Doval]] is the current NSA, serving since May 2014. The NSA is assigned the rank of a [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Cabinet Minister]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Ajit Doval Stays As NSA, Gets Cabinet Rank With 5-Year Term |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ajit-doval-continues-as-national-security-adviser-given-cabinet-rank-will-have-5-year-tenure-news-ag-2047106 |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=NDTV.com}}</ref> and ranks seventh in the [[Order of precedence in India|Indian Order of Precedence]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Roche |first1=Elizabeth |title=Mr Ajit Doval to stay as NSA, gets cabinet rank with 5-year term |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ajit-doval-reappointed-national-security-advisor-in-modi-2-0-given-cabinet-rank-1559553527501.html |access-date=23 February 2023 |work=mint |date=3 June 2019 |language=en}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
[[Brajesh Mishra]], then [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India|Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister]], was appointed as the first National Security Advisor of India. The post was created on 19 November 1998 by then government headed by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Bihari Bajpayee]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Hemant|date=2019-08-12|title=List of National Security Advisor in India|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-national-security-advisor-in-india-1565602684-1|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref> In 2004, a new government headed by [[Manmohan Singh]] was formed at the Centre. This government separated the office of NSA into ''foreign'' headed by former [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]] [[J.N. Dixit]] and ''internal'' headed by former [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, IB]] [[M. K. Narayanan|M.K. Narayanan]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004-05-27|title=JN Dixit Is NSA|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/jn-dixit-is-nsa/106590/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-17|website=The Financial Express}}</ref> After the death of Dixit in 2005, the office was again fused and Narayanan became the full-time NSA.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-03-15|title=25259: After Dixit, India ponders role of its NSA and who will get the job|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/the-cables/25259-After-Dixit-India-ponders-role-of-its-NSA-and-who-will-get-the-job/article14669690.ece|access-date=2021-02-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He was then succeeded by former [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]] [[Shivshankar Menon]] in 2010.<ref name=":0" /> In 2014, the [[Narendra Modi|Modi]]-led government appointed former [[Director IB (India)|Director, IB]] [[Ajit Doval]] as the NSA.
[[Brajesh Mishra]], then [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India|Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister]], was appointed as the first National Security Advisor of India. The post was created on 19 November 1998 by then government headed by [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Atal Bihari vajpayee]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Singh|first=Hemant|date=2019-08-12|title=List of National Security Advisor in India|url=https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-national-security-advisor-in-india-1565602684-1|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Jagranjosh.com}}</ref> In 2004, a new government headed by [[Manmohan Singh]] was formed at the centre. This government separated the office of NSA into ''foreign'' headed by former [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]] [[J.N. Dixit]] and ''internal'' headed by former [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, IB]] [[M. K. Narayanan|M.K. Narayanan]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004-05-27|title=JN Dixit Is NSA|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/jn-dixit-is-nsa/106590/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=The Financial Express}}</ref> After the death of Dixit in 2005, the office was again fused and Narayanan became the full-time NSA.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2011-03-15|title=25259: After Dixit, India ponders role of its NSA and who will get the job|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/the-india-cables/the-cables/25259-After-Dixit-India-ponders-role-of-its-NSA-and-who-will-get-the-job/article14669690.ece|access-date=2021-02-17|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He was then succeeded by former [[Foreign Secretary (India)|Foreign Secretary]] [[Shivshankar Menon]] in 2010.<ref name=":0" /> In 2014, following the election of [[Narendra Modi]] as the Prime Minister, [[Ajit Doval]], former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, was appointed as the NSA.
 
==Office of the NSA==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; width:60%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border:2px solid black; border-collapse: collapse;"
 
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2; font-size:110%;" | Position
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2; font-size:110%;" | Officer
! style="background-color:#f2f2f2; font-size:110%;" | Service
 
|-
| '''National Security Advisor'''<br>(NSA)
| [[Ajit Doval]]
| [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]<br>{{small|(Retired)}}
 
|-
| '''Additional<br>National Security Advisor'''<br>(Addl. NSA)
| [[Rajinder Khanna]]
| [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]<br>{{small|(Retired)}}
 
|-
| '''Deputy<br>National Security Advisors'''<br>(Dy. NSA)
| [[T. V. Ravichandran]] <br> [[Pavan Kapoor]] <br> [[Anish Dayal Singh]]
| [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] <br> [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]] <br> [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
 
|}


==Role==
==Role==
The post has high vested powers, so the NSA is a highly prominent and powerful office in the [[Government of India]]. All NSAs appointed since the inception of the post in 1998 belong to the either [[Indian Foreign Service]] or to the [[Indian Police Service]], and serve at the discretion of the [[Prime Minister of India]].
The post of the NSA has high vested powers, and as such it is a highly prominent and powerful office in the [[Government of India]]. All NSAs appointed since the inception of the post in 1998 belong to the either [[Indian Foreign Service]] or to the [[Indian Police Service]], and serve at the discretion of the [[Prime Minister of India]].


The National Security Advisor (NSA) is tasked with regularly advising the Prime Minister of India on all matters relating to internal and external threats and opportunities to India, and oversees strategic and sensitive issues on behalf of the Prime Minister. The NSA of India also serves as the Prime Minister's Special Interlocutor with [[China]] as well as the envoy to Pakistan and Israel on security affairs.
The National Security Advisor (NSA) is tasked with regularly advising the Prime Minister of India on all matters relating to internal and external threats and opportunities to India, and oversees strategic and sensitive issues on behalf of the Prime Minister. The NSA of India also serves as the Prime Minister's Special Interlocutor with [[China]] as well as the envoy to [[Pakistan]] and [[Israel]] on security affairs.


The NSA receives all intelligence ([[Research and Analysis Wing|R&AW]], [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]], [[National Technical Research Organisation|NTRO]], [[Directorate of Military Intelligence (India)|MI]], [[Defence Intelligence Agency (India)|DIA]], [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]]) reports and co-ordinates them to present before the Prime Minister. NSA is assisted by the Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs). Currently, retired [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer [[Dattatray Padsalgikar]], former [[Research and Analysis Wing|R&AW]] chief [[Rajinder Khanna]] and retired [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]] officer [[Pankaj Saran]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 May 2018|others=Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India|title=ACC Approvals|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179609|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-06|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> serve as Deputy National Security Advisors.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-appointed-deputy-nsa/story-Z2nppYxg0zmI9PybT3hEwM.html|title=Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed deputy NSA|date=January 2, 2018|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|publication-place=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-appointed-deputy-national-security-Advisor-1795007|title=Former RAW Chief Rajinder Khanna Appointed Deputy National Security Advisor|date=January 3, 2018|website=[[NDTV]]|publication-place=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> The policy group is the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of inputs in forming national security policies. The group members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defense secretary.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Neeta|date=9 October 2018|title=With New Order, NSA Ajit Doval To Be Most Powerful Bureaucrat In 20 Years|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/with-new-order-national-security-advisor-ajit-doval-to-be-most-powerful-bureaucrat-in-20-years-1928924|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-06|website=NDTV}}</ref>
The NSA receives all intelligence ([[Research and Analysis Wing|R&AW]], [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|IB]], [[National Technical Research Organisation|NTRO]], [[Defence Intelligence Agency (India)|DIA]], [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]]) reports and co-ordinates them to present before the Prime Minister. NSA is assisted by the Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs). Currently, retired [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer [[Dattatray Padsalgikar]], former [[Research and Analysis Wing|R&AW]] chief [[Rajinder Khanna]] and retired [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]] officer [[Pankaj Saran]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 May 2018|others=Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India|title=ACC Approvals|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=179609|access-date=2021-09-06|website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> serve as Deputy National Security Advisors.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/former-raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-appointed-deputy-nsa/story-Z2nppYxg0zmI9PybT3hEwM.html|title=Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed deputy NSA|date=January 2, 2018|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|publication-place=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/former-raw-chief-rajinder-khanna-appointed-deputy-national-security-Advisor-1795007|title=Former RAW Chief Rajinder Khanna Appointed Deputy National Security Advisor|date=January 3, 2018|website=[[NDTV]]|publication-place=[[New Delhi]]|access-date=January 15, 2018}}</ref> The policy group is the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of inputs in forming national security policies. The group members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defense secretary.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=Neeta|date=9 October 2018|title=With New Order, NSA Ajit Doval To Be Most Powerful Bureaucrat In 20 Years|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/with-new-order-national-security-advisor-ajit-doval-to-be-most-powerful-bureaucrat-in-20-years-1928924|access-date=2021-09-06|website=NDTV}}</ref>


In June, 2019 NSA [[Ajit Doval]] was elevated to the rank of Cabinet Minister with a second 5 year term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ajit-doval-reappointed-national-security-advisor-in-modi-2-0-given-cabinet-rank-1559553527501.html|title=Ajit Doval to stay as NSA, gets cabinet rank with 5-year term|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2019-06-03|website=Livemint|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref>
In June, 2019 NSA [[Ajit Doval]] was elevated to the rank of Cabinet Minister with a second 5-year term.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/ajit-doval-reappointed-national-security-advisor-in-modi-2-0-given-cabinet-rank-1559553527501.html|title=Ajit Doval to stay as NSA, gets cabinet rank with 5-year term|last=Roche|first=Elizabeth|date=2019-06-03|website=Livemint|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26}}</ref> In 2024 he began his third term.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=13 June 2024 |title=Ajit Doval Reappointed NSA, PK Mishra to Stay Principal Secretary To PM |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ajit-dovals-tenure-as-national-security-advisor-extended-5882199 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250826135957/https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/ajit-dovals-tenure-as-national-security-advisor-extended-5882199 |archive-date=2025-08-26 |access-date=2025-12-09 |work=NDTV |language=en}}</ref> The position is "co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier".<ref name=":4" />


==List of National Security Advisors==
==List of National Security Advisors==
Line 45: Line 81:
! Portrait
! Portrait
! colspan="3" | Term of office
! colspan="3" | Term of office
! Background
! Previous Post(s) held
! [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
! [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]]
!Additional NSA
!Deputy NSA(s)
!Deputy NSA(s)
|- align=centre
|- align=centre
| 1
| 1
| [[Brajesh Mishra]]{{Efn|Concurrently served as the 9th [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India]].}}, [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| [[Brajesh Mishra]],{{Efn|Concurrently served as the 9th [[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India]].}} [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| [[File:Brajesh Mishra.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil presenting the Padma Vibhushan award to Shri Brajesh Chandra Mishra, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 24, 2011 (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| 19 November  
| 19 November 1998
1998
| 22 May 2004
| 22 May 2004
|{{age in years and days|1998|11|19|2004|5|22}}
|{{age in years and days|1998|11|19|2004|5|22}}
|[[Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations|Permanent Representative to UN]]
|
[[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India|Principal Secretary]]  
*[[Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations|Permanent Representative to United Nations]]
*[[Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India|Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister]]  
| [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
|
|
|''(Post created)''
* [[Satish Chandra (diplomat)|Satish Chandra]]<ref name=":2" />
|- align=centre
|- align=centre
| 2
| 2
| [[J. N. Dixit]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| [[J. N. Dixit]], [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
|  
| [[File:Jnd2.JPG|75px]]
| 23 May 2004
| 23 May 2004
| 3 January 2005
| 3 January 2005
Line 70: Line 109:
|rowspan=3| [[Manmohan Singh]]
|rowspan=3| [[Manmohan Singh]]
|
|
|
* [[Vijay K. Nambiar]] (2004 - 2006)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Chaudhury|first=Nilova Roy|date=2007-04-19|title=Leela K Ponappa appointed Deputy NSA|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/leela-k-ponappa-appointed-deputy-nsa/story-6kB0LWz6RYF0jt0oXk1qzK.html|access-date=2021-09-06|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
|- align=centre
|- align=centre
| 3
| 3
Line 78: Line 119:
|{{age in years and days|2005|1|3|2010|1|23}}
|{{age in years and days|2005|1|3|2010|1|23}}
| [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, Intelligence Bureau]]
| [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, Intelligence Bureau]]
|''(Post created)''
|
 
|
* [[Vijay K. Nambiar|Vijay Nambiar]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Chaudhury|first=Nilova Roy|date=2007-04-19|title=Leela K Ponappa appointed Deputy NSA|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/leela-k-ponappa-appointed-deputy-nsa/story-6kB0LWz6RYF0jt0oXk1qzK.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-06|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref>
* Leela K. Ponappa (May 2007 - October 2009)<ref name=":2" />
* Satish Chandra<ref name=":2" />
* [[Shekhar Dutt]] (27 July 2007 - 2009)<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 July 2007|title=Shekhar Dutt appointed Deputy National Security Advisor|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/shekhar-dutt-appointed-deputy-national-security-advisor/491304|access-date=2021-09-06|website=Outlook India}}</ref>
* Leela K Ponappa<ref name=":2" />
* Alok Prasad (October 2009 - January 2011)<ref>{{Cite web|date=8 October 2009|title=IFS Officer Alok Prasad appointed as Dy NSA|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/29426/ifs-officer-alok-prasad-appointed.html|access-date=2023-04-17|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref>
* [[Shekhar Dutt]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 July 2007|title=Shekhar Dutt appointed Deputy National Security Advisor|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newswire/story/shekhar-dutt-appointed-deputy-national-security-advisor/491304|url-status=live|access-date=2021-09-06|website=Outlook India}}</ref>
|- align=centre
|- align=centre
| 4
| 4
| [[Shivshankar Menon]],<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=21 January 2010|title=Menon is next NSA|publisher=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article84408.ece|access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref> [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| [[Shivshankar Menon]],<ref name=":0">{{cite news|date=21 January 2010|title=Menon is next NSA|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article84408.ece|access-date=6 September 2021}}</ref> [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]]
| [[File:Msc2011 SZ 004 Menon (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Msc2011 SZ 004 Menon (cropped).jpg|75px]]
| 24 January 2010
| 24 January 2010
Line 93: Line 133:
|[[Foreign Secretary of India|Foreign Secretary]]  
|[[Foreign Secretary of India|Foreign Secretary]]  
|
|
* Vijaya Latha Reddy<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=18 December 2012|title=Outgoing Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/outgoing-intelligence-bureau-director-nehchal-sandhu-appointed-as-deputy-national-security-advisor/articleshow/17657744.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-09-06}}</ref>
|
* Nehchal Sandhu<ref name=":3" />
* Vijaya Latha Reddy (March 2011 - March 2013)<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|date=18 December 2012|title=Outgoing Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/outgoing-intelligence-bureau-director-nehchal-sandhu-appointed-as-deputy-national-security-advisor/articleshow/17657744.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-09-06}}</ref>
* Nehchal Sandhu (21 March 2013 - 31 July 2014)<ref name=":3" />
|- align=centre
|- align=centre
| 5
| 5
Line 100: Line 141:
| [[File:Ajit Kumar Doval.jpg|75px]]
| [[File:Ajit Kumar Doval.jpg|75px]]
| 30 May 2014
| 30 May 2014
| ''Incumbent''
| '''''Incumbent'''''
(Period Co-terminus with term of [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]])
|{{age in years and days|2014|5|30}}
|{{age in years and days|2014|5|30}}
| [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, Intelligence Bureau]]
| [[Director of the Intelligence Bureau|Director, Intelligence Bureau]]
| [[Narendra Modi]]
| [[Narendra Modi]]
|[[Rajinder Khanna]] (15 July 2024 – ''Incumbent'')
|
|
* [[Dattatray Padsalgikar|D. Padsalgikar]]  
* [[Arvind Gupta (administrator)|Arvind Gupta]] (5 August 2014 - 5 August 2017)
* [[Rajinder Khanna]]
* [[Pankaj Saran]] (29 May 2018 - 31 December 2021)
* [[Anil Chauhan]]
* [[R. N. Ravi]] (5 October 2018 - 31 July 2019)
* [[Vikram Misri]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haidar |first1=Suhasini |title=Former China envoy Vikram Misri appointed Deputy NSA |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ex-china-envoy-vikram-misri-appointed-deputy-nsa/article38050540.ece |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 December 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
* [[Rajinder Khanna]] (2 January 2018 – 14 July 2024)
* [[Dattatray Padsalgikar]] (29 October 2019 – 31 October 2023)
* [[Vikram Misri]] (1 Jan 2022–14 July 2024)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haidar |first1=Suhasini |title=Former China envoy Vikram Misri appointed Deputy NSA |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ex-china-envoy-vikram-misri-appointed-deputy-nsa/article38050540.ece |access-date=28 December 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=27 December 2021 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
* [[Pankaj Kumar Singh]]<ref>{{cite news |title=BSF Ex-DG Pankaj Kumar Singh appointed Deputy NSA  |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/bsf-ex-dg-pankaj-kumar-singh-appointed-deputy-nsa/articleshow/97078404.cms |access-date=21 January 2023 |work=Times of India |date=18 January 2023 |language=en-IN}}</ref>  (18 January 2023  – 31 January 2025 )
* [[T. V. Ravichandran]] (15 July 2024 – ''Incumbent'')
* [[Pavan Kapoor]] (15 July 2024 – ''Incumbent'')
* [[Anish Dayal Singh]] (25 August 2025 – ''Incumbent'')
|}
|}


==See also==
==See also==
{{commonscat|National Security Advisors of India}}
{{commons category|National Security Advisors of India}}
* [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
* [[National Security Council (India)|National Security Council]]
* [[Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing]]
* [[Director of Intelligence Bureau]]


== Notes ==
== Notes ==

Latest revision as of 00:17, 12 March 2026


National Security Advisor of India
Rāṣṭrīya Surakṣā Parāmarśadātā
Emblem of India
Flag of India
Incumbent
Ajit Doval, KC
since 30 May 2014
National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS)
TypeNational Security Advisor
StatusChief advisor to the Prime Minister of India on national security policy and international affairs
AbbreviationNSA
Member of
ResidenceBungalow 5, Janpath Road, New Delhi
SeatSeva Teerth
New Delhi, Delhi, India
AppointerAppointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC)
Term lengthNo fixed tenure is imposed on the office but term can be extended.
Inaugural holderBrajesh Mishra, IFS
Formation19 November 1999; 26 years ago (1999-11-19) by Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Deputy
Salary₹162,500 (US$2,300) (monthly)
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The National Security Advisor (NSA) is the senior official on the National Security Council of the Republic of India, and the chief advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India on national security policy and international affairs. Ajit Doval is the current NSA, serving since May 2014. The NSA is assigned the rank of a Union Cabinet Minister[1] and ranks seventh in the Indian Order of Precedence.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

Brajesh Mishra, then Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, was appointed as the first National Security Advisor of India. The post was created on 19 November 1998 by then government headed by Atal Bihari vajpayee.[3] In 2004, a new government headed by Manmohan Singh was formed at the centre. This government separated the office of NSA into foreign headed by former Foreign Secretary J.N. Dixit and internal headed by former Director, IB M.K. Narayanan.[4] After the death of Dixit in 2005, the office was again fused and Narayanan became the full-time NSA.[5] He was then succeeded by former Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in 2010.[6] In 2014, following the election of Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister, Ajit Doval, former Director of the Intelligence Bureau, was appointed as the NSA.

Office of the NSA[edit | edit source]

Position Officer Service
National Security Advisor
(NSA) 		Ajit Doval IPS
(Retired)
Additional
National Security Advisor
(Addl. NSA) 		Rajinder Khanna IPS
(Retired)
Deputy
National Security Advisors
(Dy. NSA) 		T. V. Ravichandran
Pavan Kapoor
Anish Dayal Singh 		IPS
IFS
IPS

Role[edit | edit source]

The post of the NSA has high vested powers, and as such it is a highly prominent and powerful office in the Government of India. All NSAs appointed since the inception of the post in 1998 belong to the either Indian Foreign Service or to the Indian Police Service, and serve at the discretion of the Prime Minister of India.

The National Security Advisor (NSA) is tasked with regularly advising the Prime Minister of India on all matters relating to internal and external threats and opportunities to India, and oversees strategic and sensitive issues on behalf of the Prime Minister. The NSA of India also serves as the Prime Minister's Special Interlocutor with China as well as the envoy to Pakistan and Israel on security affairs.

The NSA receives all intelligence (R&AW, IB, NTRO, DIA, NIA) reports and co-ordinates them to present before the Prime Minister. NSA is assisted by the Deputy National Security Advisors (Deputy NSAs). Currently, retired IPS officer Dattatray Padsalgikar, former R&AW chief Rajinder Khanna and retired IFS officer Pankaj Saran[7] serve as Deputy National Security Advisors.[8][9] The policy group is the main mechanism for inter-ministerial coordination and integration of inputs in forming national security policies. The group members include the NITI Aayog vice chairman, the cabinet secretary, the three military chiefs, the Reserve Bank of India governor, the foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and the defense secretary.[10]

In June, 2019 NSA Ajit Doval was elevated to the rank of Cabinet Minister with a second 5-year term.[11] In 2024 he began his third term.[12] The position is "co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders, whichever is earlier".[12]

List of National Security Advisors[edit | edit source]

No Name Portrait Term of office Previous Post(s) held Prime Minister Additional NSA Deputy NSA(s)
1 Brajesh Mishra,[lower-alpha 1] IFS 19 November 1998 22 May 2004 5 years, 185 days Atal Bihari Vajpayee (Post created)
2 J. N. Dixit, IFS 23 May 2004 3 January 2005 225 days Foreign Secretary Manmohan Singh
3 M. K. Narayanan, IPS 3 January 2005 23 January 2010 5 years, 20 days Director, Intelligence Bureau
  • Leela K. Ponappa (May 2007 - October 2009)[13]
  • Shekhar Dutt (27 July 2007 - 2009)[14]
  • Alok Prasad (October 2009 - January 2011)[15]
4 Shivshankar Menon,[6] IFS 24 January 2010 26 May 2014 4 years, 143 days Foreign Secretary
  • Vijaya Latha Reddy (March 2011 - March 2013)[16]
  • Nehchal Sandhu (21 March 2013 - 31 July 2014)[16]
5 Ajit Doval, IPS 30 May 2014 Incumbent

(Period Co-terminus with term of Prime Minister)

12 years, 70 days Director, Intelligence Bureau Narendra Modi Rajinder Khanna (15 July 2024 – Incumbent)

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Concurrently served as the 9th Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister of India.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Ajit Doval Stays As NSA, Gets Cabinet Rank With 5-Year Term". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  2. ↑ Roche, Elizabeth (3 June 2019). "Mr Ajit Doval to stay as NSA, gets cabinet rank with 5-year term". mint. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  3. ↑ Singh, Hemant (2019-08-12). "List of National Security Advisor in India". Jagranjosh.com. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  4. ↑ "JN Dixit Is NSA". The Financial Express. 2004-05-27. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  5. ↑ "25259: After Dixit, India ponders role of its NSA and who will get the job". The Hindu. 2011-03-15. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Menon is next NSA". The Hindu. 21 January 2010. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  7. ↑ "ACC Approvals". pib.gov.in. Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India. 29 May 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  8. ↑ "Former RAW chief Rajinder Khanna appointed deputy NSA". Hindustan Times. New Delhi. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ "Former RAW Chief Rajinder Khanna Appointed Deputy National Security Advisor". NDTV. New Delhi. January 3, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  10. ↑ Sharma, Neeta (9 October 2018). "With New Order, NSA Ajit Doval To Be Most Powerful Bureaucrat In 20 Years". NDTV. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  11. ↑ Roche, Elizabeth (2019-06-03). "Ajit Doval to stay as NSA, gets cabinet rank with 5-year term". Livemint. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Ajit Doval Reappointed NSA, PK Mishra to Stay Principal Secretary To PM". NDTV. 13 June 2024. Archived from the original on 2025-08-26. Retrieved 2025-12-09.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Chaudhury, Nilova Roy (2007-04-19). "Leela K Ponappa appointed Deputy NSA". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  14. ↑ "Shekhar Dutt appointed Deputy National Security Advisor". Outlook India. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  15. ↑ "IFS Officer Alok Prasad appointed as Dy NSA". Deccan Herald. 8 October 2009. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Outgoing Intelligence Bureau Director Nehchal Sandhu appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor". The Economic Times. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 2021-09-06.
  17. ↑ Haidar, Suhasini (27 December 2021). "Former China envoy Vikram Misri appointed Deputy NSA". The Hindu. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  18. ↑ "BSF Ex-DG Pankaj Kumar Singh appointed Deputy NSA". Times of India. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 21 January 2023.
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