New Delhi, Aug 1: Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, on Saturday assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff of the Indian Navy, succeeding Vice Admiral AN Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, who retired on July 31 after more than 38 years of service.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990, Vice Admiral Pramod is an alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy, Goa. A CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist, he has also graduated from the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.
During a distinguished naval career spanning over 36 years, Vice Admiral Pramod has held several key command, operational, instructional and staff appointments. His sea commands include INS Abhay, INS Shardul and INS Satpura, while he also served as Executive Officer of INS Rajput. He participated in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001, besides serving as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard following the Galwan incident.
Ashore, he commanded INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station at Sri Vijaya Puram, and held important assignments at Naval Headquarters, including Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Director Aircraft Acquisition and Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition. He was also associated with the Tactical Audit Group and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council.
After promotion to Rear Admiral, he served as Deputy Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
As Vice Admiral, he served as Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) from December 13, 2023, to July 31, 2026. In this role, he played a key part in planning and ensuring the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness during Operation Sindoor and oversaw maritime security operations amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Vice Admiral Pramod was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
