On April 1, 2023, Vice Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh, AVSM, NM, took over as Vice-Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) of the Indian Navy, following incumbent Vice Admiral S.N. Ghormade, who stepped down as VCNS on March 31, 2023, due to retirement.
- Sanjay Jasjit Singh held the position of Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) before becoming the VCNS.
About Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh:
i.Vice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh graduated from the National Defence Academy in Pune, Maharashtra, and joined the Indian Navy’s Executive Branch in 1986.
ii.He was the lead drafter of the Indian Navy’s Maritime Doctrine, 2009, Strategic Guidance to Transformation, 2015, and Indian Maritime Security Strategy, 2015.
iii.He received the Nao Sena Medal in 2009 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020 as rewards for his outstanding service.
Suraj Berry Assumed Charge as Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy
On April 01, 2023, Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, AVSM, NM, and VSM, assumed charge as Chief of Personnel (COP) of the Indian Navy.
- The post of COP fell vacant on February 28, 2023, when Vice Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who was holding the post, assumed command of the Mumbai-based Western Naval Command as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C).
About Vice Admiral Suraj Berry
i.Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, a specialist in gunnery and missile warfare, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1987.
ii.He has held maritime commands for the missile vessel INS Nirbhik, the stealth frigate INS Talwar, the missile corvette INS Karmuk, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
iii.His contributions to the tsunami relief efforts in Sri Lanka and the Maldives earned him the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2006, the Nao Sena Medal for devotion to duty in 2015, and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2020.
iv.He has also received commendations from the FOC-in-C Western Naval Command and the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) on two occasions.
v.Before taking over as COP, he served as the Controller-Personnel Services at naval headquarters.
Vice-Admiral Atul Anand Took Over as DGNO of the Indian Navy
On April 01, 2023, Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM, assumed command as Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO).
About Vice-Admiral Atul Anand:
i.Vice-Admiral Atul Anand was commissioned into the Navy’s Executive Branch on January 1, 1988.
ii.He attended the National Defence Academy (71st Course, Delta Squadron), the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
iii.Over his naval career, he has held a number of important positions, including commander of the destroyer INS Mumbai, the corvette INS Khukri, the missile boat INS Chatak, and the torpedo recovery vessel IN TRV A72.
iv.He has also received the Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Other Indian Navy Appointments and Superannuation:
i.Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed command as Controller of Personnel Services.
ii.Further changes include the departure of Air Marshal B.R. Krishna, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, and Air Marshal J. Chalapathi, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command located in Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), upon their retirement on March 31, 2023.
- Apparently, no new appointments have been made for either post.
Note –
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) are the decoration awarded to recognize “distinguished service of a high order” to all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces.
Nau Sena Medal (also spelt Nao Sena Medal/Navy Medal (NM)) is a gallantry award for servicemen in the Indian Navy.
Recent Related News:
In February 2023, The Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) hosted by the Indian Navy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), Seychelles to further the existing cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region to enhance maritime safety and security.
About the Indian Navy:
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)– Admiral R Hari Kumar
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
Motto– Sham No Varunah
