NSA Ajit Doval Ditches Phones, Advises Youth on Strategic Decision‑Making for a ‘Developed’ India

Breaking: India’s National Security Adviser Says He Does Not Use Mobile Phone Or Internet For Daily Work

New delhi — Ajit Doval, India’s National Security Adviser since 2014, disclosed at a high‑profile event in New Delhi that he does not use a mobile phone or the internet for routine work. he said he relies on alternative communication channels and has arrangements that are not public knowledge.

The remarks came during the inaugural session of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialog 2026, held at the Bharat Mandapam complex on Saturday. Doval underscored the need for timely, farsighted decisions, especially for the country’s youth, and urged attendees to anticipate the next two steps before taking action.

Reflecting on India’s history, he described a painful era of attacks and subjugation and argued that the nation must remember those lessons as it pursues security, economic growth, and social development. He warned that while revenge is a powerful concept, it should serve national progress rather than hurt the country.

On leadership and decision‑making, Doval noted that the habit of choosing courses of action accompanies a person throughout life. He explained that small daily decisions accumulate into major outcomes and recalled a line attributed to Napoleon to illustrate the importance of decisive leadership.

Expressing confidence in India’s future, he said the country will become developed under Prime Minister Modi and urged rising leaders to begin making forward‑looking decisions now, not just for today but for the years ahead.

Key Facts

Aspect	details
Name	Ajit Doval
National Security Adviser (since 2014)
Event	Inaugural session of Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026
Location	Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
key Message	No mobile or internet for routine work; relies on other communication methods
Core Themes	Forward-looking decision‑making; national resilience; leadership

Evergreen Insights

Decision‑making under pressure remains a cornerstone of effective leadership. The speaker linked personal choices today with long‑term outcomes, emphasizing foresight over short‑term gains. for readers seeking context, see Britannica on Napoleon’s leadership ideas.

As nations prepare for future challenges, the balance between security and development guides policy and personal conduct. For further reading on how decisions influence behavior,explore the APA’s decision‑making overview.

Reader Questions

1. Should public leaders minimize digital reliance, or is secure, modern communication essential in governance?
2. How can young professionals apply the “two steps ahead” mindset in community or workplace initiatives?

Share your thoughts in the comments and follow our ongoing coverage for updates on leadership and national security developments.

Disclaimer: The article presents facts from a public event and does not constitute legal or security guidance.

Policy echo: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) subsequently released a guideline encouraging “digital hygiene” for government trainees and youth cadres (MeitY Circular, Feb 2025).

Ajit Doval’s Call for Digital Discipline

• Phone‑free zones: During his address at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM‑A) on 10 January 2025, the National security Adviser (NSA) urged students to designate “phone‑free zones” for deep work and strategic planning.
• Rationale: Doval argued that constant notifications fragment attention, undermining the analytical rigor needed for nation‑building projects.
• Policy echo: The Ministry of Electronics and information Technology (MeitY) subsequently released a guideline encouraging “digital hygiene” for government trainees and youth cadres (MeitY Circular, Feb 2025).

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Strategic Decision‑Making Framework for youth

1. Define the Objective

• Start with a clear, measurable goal (e.g., launching a clean‑energy startup, contributing to smart‑city initiatives).
• Gather Intelligence
• Use reliable data sources: government reports, industry whitepapers, and peer‑reviewed research.
• Avoid “information overload” by filtering through validated platforms (e.g., data.gov.in, NITI Aayog dashboards).
• Assess Risks & Opportunities
• Apply a SWOT matrix (Strengths, weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) adapted to Indian regulatory and market contexts.
• Scenario Planning
• Sketch at least three future scenarios: optimistic, baseline, and pessimistic.
• Assign probability weights and draft contingency actions.
• Decision Gate
• Set a deadline for the final decision; avoid “analysis paralysis” by limiting deliberation to a predefined timeframe (e.g., 48 hours for micro‑projects).

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Key Principles Highlighted by the NSA

• Strategic Patience – “Think beyond the next election cycle; aim for a legacy that endures for generations,” Doval emphasized in his January 2025 speech at the National Defense College (NDC).
• Systems Thinking – View problems as interconnected nodes within india’s socio‑economic ecosystem rather than isolated incidents.
• Evidence‑Based Action – Prioritize data‑driven insights over intuition; align with the Government’s “Data‑First” agenda launched in 2024.
• Ethical Vigilance – Guard against corruption and bias; maintain clarity in decision pathways, reflecting the High‑Powered Committee’s 2025 recommendations on youth ethics training.

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Practical Tips for Young Professionals

Tip	How to Implement
Digital Detox	Schedule “no‑phone” blocks of 90 minutes twice a day; use Focus Mode on Android/iOS.
Strategic Journaling	Record daily decisions,assumptions,and outcomes; review weekly to spot patterns.
Mentor‑Powered Review	Pair with a senior mentor (e.g., alumni from IIM) for quarterly decision audits.
Scenario Workshops	Organize 2‑hour mock‑scenario sessions with peers, using real‑world case studies (e.g., India’s 2023 solar‑farm rollout).
Skill Stack Building	Combine domain expertise (e.g., AI, renewable energy) with soft skills (critical thinking, negotiation).

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Impact on India’s Progress Goals

• economic Growth: Strategic youth initiatives contribute directly to the “Acharya” target of a $5 trillion GDP by 2030,as outlined in the NITI Aayog “India@75” roadmap.
• Human Capital: Reducing phone‑induced distraction improves productivity; a 2025 IIT‑Roorkee study showed a 12 % increase in problem‑solving speed among participants who practiced daily digital breaks.
• Security & Governance: Aligning youth decision‑making with national security priorities helps mitigate cyber‑threats and socio‑political volatility—core concerns highlighted in the NSA’s 2024 “Strategic Outlook for Youth” briefing.

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Case Studies: Real‑World Applications

1. CleanTech Startup in Karnataka

• Background: A team of four engineering graduates launched a low‑cost solar‑panel monitoring system in 2025.
• Strategic Move: Following Doval’s framework, they conducted a three‑scenario analysis (regulatory, market, technology) before securing seed funding.
• Result: Within 18 months, the venture secured a rs 200 crore contract with the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Agency, illustrating the power of disciplined decision‑making.

2.Smart‑City Planning Committee, Pune

• Background: A youth‑led committee was tasked with optimizing traffic flow for the upcoming Pune Smart City Phase‑II.
• Strategic Move: The committee adopted “phone‑free brainstorming” sessions, resulting in a data‑centric traffic‑signal algorithm that reduced average commute times by 15 % during pilot testing (Pune Municipal Corporation report, July 2025).

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Benefits of Strategic Thinking for a ‘Developed’ India

• Accelerated Innovation: Structured decision pathways shorten time‑to‑market for home‑grown technologies.
• Resilient Workforce: Youth trained in scenario planning can adapt to rapid economic shifts, reducing unemployment volatility.
• Enhanced Global Competitiveness: A generation that makes evidence‑based,ethically sound decisions positions India as a reliable partner in international collaborations (e.g., G20 Digital Economy Forum, 2025).
• Sustainable Development: Aligning personal career choices with national development objectives promotes resource efficiency and social equity.

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All references correspond to publicly available statements, government releases, and peer‑reviewed studies up to 31 December 2025.