Vice Admiral AN Pramod appointed Deputy Chief of Naval Staff in India

Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, took charge as India's Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on 1 August 2026. A 36‑year veteran of the Indian Navy, he entered service on 1 July 1990 after graduating from the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy in Goa.

His career includes command of the guided‑missile destroyer INS Rajput, the anti‑submarine patrol vessel INS Abhay, the landing ship tank INS Shardul and the guided‑missile frigate INS Satpura. He has also led the naval air station INS Utkrosh and served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard. Senior staff roles have encompassed Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Director and Principal Director of Aircraft Acquisition, and Director General Naval Operations from December 2023 to July 2026. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 for his operational leadership.