Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar Becomes 48th Vice Chief of Naval Staff

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on 29 May 2026 in New Delhi. He paid homage at the National War Memorial and succeeded Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan in the post. Vice Admiral Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1988 and has more than 37 years of service.

Vice Chief of the Naval Staff

The Vice Chief of the Naval Staff is the second-highest appointment in the Indian Navy after the Chief of the Naval Staff. The office functions from Naval Headquarters in New Delhi and is held by a senior flag officer of the rank of Vice Admiral.

Career Profile of Ajay Kochhar

Vice Admiral Kochhar is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems. His command appointments include INS Nashak, INS Vibhuti, INS Kirpan, frigate INS Trikand, and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. He served as Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, from 25 May 2024, and later held the appointment of Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command, from 1 October 2025 to 25 May 2026.

Honours and Education

Vice Admiral Kochhar received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. He studied at the National Defence Academy, Pune, the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Naval War College, Goa, and the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National War Memorial in New Delhi honours Indian military personnel who died in service after Independence.
• The Indian Navy uses the rank of Vice Admiral for senior flag officers below the Chief of the Naval Staff.
• INS Vikramaditya is an aircraft carrier in the Indian Navy.
• The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal are Indian military awards for distinguished service.