Ajit Doval Gets Third Term As National Security Adviser; PK Mishra to Continue As Principal Secretary to PM

In a sign of continuity at the prime minister’s office, top bureaucrats Ajit Doval, PK Mishra, Amit Khare and Tarun Kapoor are all going to continue in their posts.

Doval will continue as the national security adviser (NSA) after his tenure was extended for a third term, while Mishra has been re-appointed as the principal secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Former IAS officers Khare and Kapoor will also continue in their posts to advisers to the prime minister.

An official order stated that spymaster Doval’s appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the PM or until further orders. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Ajit Doval, IPS (Retired) as National Security Adviser with effect from 10.06.2024,” said the order issued by the personnel ministry.

The order stated that during the term of his office, Doval will be assigned the rank of cabinet minister in the Table of Precedence, adding that the terms and conditions of his appointment will be notified separately.

Another order from the personnel ministry said Mishra’s appointment will also come into effect from June 10. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Dr P.K. Mishra, IAS (Retired) as Principal Secretary to Prime Minister with effect from 10.06.2024. His appointment will be co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders whichever is earlier,” it said.