Vice Admiral Manish Chadha Assumes Charge as DGNO

Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) on 3 August 2026. The Director General Naval Operations is a senior operational appointment in the Indian Navy linked with maritime security, fleet deployment, and naval operational planning.

Director General Naval Operations

The DGNO is responsible for operational planning in the Indian Navy. The post is associated with maritime security missions, deployment of naval assets, and coordination of strategic naval operations.

Service Profile of Vice Admiral Manish Chadha

Vice Admiral Chadha is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist with more than 35 years of service in the Indian Navy. He was commissioned on 1 July 1991 after graduating from the 78th course of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. His command appointments include Coast Guard Ship CGS-05, INS Veer, INS Kirpan, and the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore. He also served as the Naval Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow and commanded the Maharashtra Naval Area and the Gujarat, Daman and Diu Naval Area.

Indian Naval Academy and Awards

Before taking charge as DGNO, he served as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala in Kerala. He received the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 for distinguished service in the Indian Navy.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Indian Naval Academy is located at Ezhimala in Kerala.
• The National Defence Academy is located at Khadakwasla in Maharashtra.
• INS Mysore is a guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.
• The Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal are Indian military awards for distinguished service.

Operational Role in the Navy

The Indian Navy uses operational appointments such as DGNO for planning and execution of maritime tasks. The post is linked with fleet readiness, security operations, and command-level coordination.