New Delhi, 01 August (H.S.): Vice Admiral AN Pramod, who was serving as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) of the Indian Navy, on Saturday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS). He has succeeded Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who retired on July 31 after rendering more than 38 years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy.

According to the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral AN Pramod, an alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course of the Naval Academy, Goa, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. He is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.

During his illustrious career spanning over 36 years, Vice Admiral Pramod has held a wide range of command, operational, instructional and staff appointments both at sea and ashore.

During his sea deployments, the Vice Admiral served as the Executive Officer of the guided missile destroyer INS Rajput. He has also commanded the Anti-Submarine Warfare Patrol Vessel INS Abhay, Landing Ship Tank (Large) INS Shardul, and guided missile frigate INS Satpura.

He also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during ‘Operation Snow Leopard’, launched in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley incident. The Flag Officer participated in ‘Operation Vijay’ in 1999 and ‘Operation Parakram’ in 2001.

During his shore appointments, Vice Admiral Pramod commanded the Naval Air Station INS Utkrosh at Sri Vijaya Puram and served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. His key appointments at Naval Headquarters included Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Director and Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition.

He was also a member of the Tactical Audit Group from 2006 to 2009 and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council from 2016 to 2019.

After being promoted to the rank of 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.

Following his elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral, he served as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) from December 2023 to July 2026. He played a key role in the Indian Navy’s planning, preparedness and operational readiness for maritime security operations during Operation Sindoor and amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

In recognition of his distinguished service and operational leadership, Vice Admiral AN Pramod was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) in 2025.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar