New Delhi: The Indian Navy’s face during Operation Sindoor, Vice Admiral AN Pramod, assumed charge as the deputy chief of naval staff on August 1, 2026, bringing more than 36 years of operational, command and strategic experience to the senior naval appointment. The Indian Navy announced his appointment in a post on X, highlighting his extensive career and role in the planning, preparedness and operational readiness of the force.
He succeeds Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who retired from service on July 31 after more than 38 years of distinguished service. With his assumption of charge as deputy chief of naval staff, Vice Admiral Pramod moves into a key senior leadership role after serving in frontline command, naval aviation, fleet operations, aircraft acquisition and the Navy’s operational planning structure.
Vice Admiral Pramod takes charge after serving as the director general naval operations (DGNO) from December 2023 to July 2026, during which he was closely involved in the Indian Navy’s operational planning during Operation Sindoor and maritime security operations amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.
As the operation was ongoing, he briefed the media in New Delhi alongside the then director general of military operations, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, and director general air operations, Air Marshal AK Bharti.
Extensive operational experience
An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy, Goa, Vice Admiral Pramod was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. He is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist.
He has also undergone training at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and completed the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.
During his more than three-decade-long career, Vice Admiral Pramod has held a wide range of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. His sea-going assignments include serving as Executive Officer of INS Rajput, a guided missile destroyer.
He later commanded INS Abhay, an anti-submarine warfare patrol vessel, INS Shardul, a Landing Ship Tank (Large), and INS Satpura, a guided missile frigate.
His operational experience also includes serving as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard, which followed the Galwan tensions between India and China in 2020. He participated in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001, the Indian Navy said in a press statement.
Key appointments ashore
Vice Admiral Pramod has held several important shore-based appointments during his career. He commanded INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station at Sri Vijaya Puram, and served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
At Naval Headquarters, he served as joint director naval air staff, director aircraft acquisition and principal director aircraft acquisition. He was also a member of the Tactical Audit Group from 2006 to 2009.
He was a member of the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council from 2016 to 2019, giving him experience in higher-level operational and strategic planning.
Senior command assignments
After being promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, Pramod served as deputy commandant of the Indian Naval Academy. He subsequently held the appointments of assistant chief of naval staff (air) and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
His appointment as director general naval operations in December 2023 placed him at the centre of the Indian Navy’s operational planning and preparedness. He remained in the position until July 2026.
As DGNO, Vice Admiral Pramod was closely involved in the planning and preparedness of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor, as well as its operational readiness amid evolving maritime security challenges.
He was also involved in the conduct of maritime security operations during the ongoing West Asia crisis, as the regional conflict created wider security concerns across key maritime routes.
Decorated for distinguished service
Vice Admiral Pramod’s service and operational leadership have been recognized with two major military decorations. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.