In this article, we go into great detail about Ajit Doval's salary, allowances and benefits he receives, and how his paycheck reflects the responsibilities of his celebrity role. Whether you're learning about Indian bureaucracy or you're simply curious about the paychecks of India's top government officials, this article breaks down everything you want to know about Ajit Doval's pay as NSA. |
Introduction
Ajit Doval salary is one that has raised the interest of citizens who track India's national security landscape. As the incumbent National Security Advisor (NSA) of India, Ajit Doval plays a pivotal role in shaping the country's internal and external security policies. With decades of experience in intelligence, counter-terrorism, and strategic operations, Doval is arguably one of India's most powerful and influential security leaders.
Ajit Doval was named NSA in 2014 and has been one of the key national-level decision-makers, reporting directly to the Prime Minister. Due to his record-breaking contributions, he was appointed as a Cabinet Minister in 2019 placing him within the highest category of Indian government officials. The promotion made an enormous difference to Ajit Doval's salary, equalling it with other top-ranking ministers in the Union Cabinet.
Who is Ajit Doval? A Glimpse into the Man Who Shaped India's National Security
Before getting into Ajit Doval's salary, it's worth noting the illustrious career that has brought him to India's National Security Advisor (NSA) position. The "James Bond of India," as he's referred to, has had an illustrious intelligence and national security career spanning more than five decades.
Ajit Doval is an IPS officer from the 1968 batch of the Kerala cadre. He soon shifted into intelligence work and spent decades in the Intelligence Bureau (IB), advancing in rank to be appointed as its Director in 2004. His time at the IB was characterized by daring operations, such as a number of undercover operations in Pakistan and in the Northeast, where he received the Kirti Chakra India's second-highest peacetime gallantry award and the first ever conferred on a police officer.
Some of his significant accomplishments are:
- Successfully penetrating militant organisations in Kashmir.
- Coordinating the peaceful de-escalation of the 1999 IC-814 hijacking.
- Planning the 2015 Myanmar surgical strikes.
- Providing strategic input to the Balakot airstrikes and India's Doklam confrontation with China.
Ajit Doval's ascendancy in India's intelligence establishment has been meteoric. He has been involved in high-risk operations in Punjab, Kashmir, and Pakistan, and is broadly credited with transforming India's security strategy through daring intelligence driven approaches.
He was appointed as the National Security Advisor by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, a position he still holds with unparalleled authority. He was promoted to the level of a Cabinet Minister in June 2019, a reflection of his strategic value and national salience directly impacting his salary, perks, and stature.
Ajit Doval Salary: Official Figures and Perks
While referring to the salary of Ajit Doval, one should take into account both the official figures and the entire compensation package that accompanies his senior position as National Security Advisor (NSA). Appointed in 2014 and given Cabinet Minister rank in 2019, the salary of Ajit Doval is now equivalent to that of other senior Union Cabinet members of India.
According to official government sources and media reports:
- Basic Monthly Salary: ₹1,37,500
- Other Allowances & Perks: ₹60,000–₹70,000 (dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport, etc.)
- Total Estimated Monthly Salary: ₹2,00,000 (approx.)
This salary indicates not only his administrative position but also the crucial national and international duties he is entrusted with.
How Ajit Doval's Salary Compares to Other Top Officials
Ajit Doval's remuneration is equivalent to a Union Cabinet Minister's, the top non-elected pay scale in India's civilian bureaucracy. He belongs to the same pay group as:
- The Minister of Home Affairs
- The Minister of Defence
- The Minister of External Affairs
But in contrast to all other ministers, Doval is not a minister; he is a career civil servant and security strategist, thus making his job unique in both prestige and authority.
His Cabinet status also includes access to:
- A government-residence in Lutyens' zone of New Delhi
- A fully manned office and support staff
- Official cars with Z+ security
- Diplomatic and international travel privileges
Ajit Doval's Cabinet Rank and Salary Impact
One of the most significant career and salary milestones for Ajit Doval was in June 2019, when he was formally elevated to the level of a Cabinet Minister by the Government of India. This was the first time ever that an NSA was accorded Cabinet rank, highlighting the high strategic priority of his position on national security.
What Does Cabinet Rank Mean for Ajit Doval?
With Cabinet Minister rank, Ajit Doval's salary and perks are at par with the senior-most constitutional functionaries in India. According to government salary scales:
- Monthly salary: ₹1,37,500 (basic) + allowances
- Total monthly pay: Around ₹2,00,000
- Official benefits: Government bungalow, Z+ security, diplomatic passport, staff, and membership in senior-most decision-making committees
Comparison With Cabinet Ministers
Ajit Doval's salary and allowances now reflect that of Union Cabinet Ministers like:
- The Minister of Defence
- The Minister of Finance
- The Minister of External Affairs
While the majority of Cabinet Ministers are elected Members of Parliament, Doval's job is special; he is a career intelligence officer and bureaucrat of Cabinet rank on merit and national importance alone.
Benefits and Privileges Beyond Ajit Doval's Salary
Along with his self-awarded ₹2,00,000 per month salary, the National Security Advisor to India Ajit Doval also has the full set of highest-level privileges and perks that far outmatch his official pay.
- Major Benefits Are: Official Residence: A government-appointed, secure bungalow in New Delhi's Lutyens' zone.
- Z+ Security Cover: One of the highest level security covers available in India, provided by the NSG or SPG.
- Loyal Staff: Personal protection, advisory staff, and administrative staff.
- Government Transportation: Fully guarded convoy with armored vehicles and protection.
- Privileges of Travel: First class air travel, diplomatic passports, and protocol-level treatment on official business.
- Top-Secret Clearance: Facility at the uppermost levels of classified intelligence within military, diplomatic, and strategic communications networks.
Ajit Doval Net Worth (Estimated)
Though the salary of Ajit Doval as National Security Advisor is made public, it is hard to determine his total net worth since there has been no revelation. However, his net worth is estimated to be about $3 million.
Income Sources Beyond Salary
Apart from his official salary, Doval's earnings may consist of:
- Pension: As a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, he is entitled to a government pension.
- Honorariums: Possible revenue from lectures or work as consultants, although no figures are recorded.
It should be pointed out that there is no public record of Doval ever having been a director or company board member. His sons, Vivek Doval and Shaurya Doval, do have business interests, including one Cayman Islands registered hedge fund.
Comparison with Other Top Government Officials
Ajit Doval's net worth is humble compared to that of some other top Indian bureaucrats. Some Union Cabinet Ministers, for example, have reported assets in their election affidavits of more than ₹5 crore (approximately $600,000). Doval's financial history is a reflection of a career dedicated to the service of the greater good and not for wealth accumulation.
