Several key positions in the Indian Navy have witnessed notable changes. Vice Admiral AN Pramod has taken on the role of Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO), Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has assumed the position of Controller of Personnel Services (CPS), and Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty has assumed the role of Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy as of 15th January.
As the Director General of Naval Operations (DGNO), Vice Admiral Pramod assumes a crucial role in ensuring operational excellence and enhancing naval preparedness, thereby reinforcing the Indian Navy’s capabilities. With a background as a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and expertise in communication and electronics warfare, Vice Admiral Pramod brings a wealth of experience to the position. His command experience includes commanding Indian Navy ships such as Abhay, Shardul, and Satpura, as well as serving as the Executive Officer of Rajput, SCO Sujata, and GO II Kirpan. He has also commanded the Naval Air Station, Utkrosh, at Port Blair and served as the Directing Staff at DSSC, Wellington.
Vice Admiral Pramod has held significant staff appointments throughout his career, including Joint Director of Naval Air Staff, Joint Director, Director, and Principal Director of Aircraft Acquisition. His contributions extend to being a member of the Indian Strategic & Operational Council (INSOC) from 2016 to 2019 and the Tactical Audit Group (TAG) from 2006 to 2009.
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, the newly appointed Controller of Personnel Services (CPS), brings specialised expertise in gunnery and missiles to his role. His naval career includes notable assignments on Indian Naval Ships Ranjit, Prahar, and Brahmaputra. Vice Admiral Singh has also held command positions, overseeing INS Vidyut, INS Khukri, and INS Kochi. His instructional experience extends to serving at INS Dronacharya (Gunnery School) and as the Deputy Commandant of Naval War College in Goa.
Throughout his career, Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh has contributed significantly in various staff roles, including appointments at the Directorate of Personnel/NHQ, Directorate of Naval Intelligence/NHQ, and the Indian Naval Work-up Team. Upon his promotion to Flag rank in January 2021, he assumed the position of Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at the Western Naval Command. In this capacity, he successfully planned and executed Search and Rescue (SAR) operations during Cyclone Taukte, coordinated the supply chain of Liquid Medical Oxygen during Operation Samudra Setu II, and led various operational missions and deployments, including joint exercises with foreign Navies, according to Indian Navy statement.
Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty, a ‘Gunnery and Missiles specialist,’ has an extensive naval career marked by diverse roles. Beginning as part of the commissioning crew of INS Delhi, he specialised in Gunnery and Missiles during his tenures on the frontline Guided Missile Destroyer. His leadership experience includes serving as the Executive Officer of a Seaward Defence Patrol Vessel, a Guided Missile Vessel, and the Landing Platform Dock INS Jalashwa. Furthermore, Vice Admiral McCarty has commanded the Anti-Submarine Patrol Vessel INS Ajay, the Guided Missile Corvette INS Khanjar, and the Guided Missile Frigate INS Shivalik.
Regarding staff assignments, he has held pivotal roles such as Training Commander at the Naval Academy and Command Plans Officer at the Headquarters Eastern Naval Command. His international experience includes serving as a Directing Staff at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Sri Lanka and representing India as the Defence Adviser to the Republic of Singapore with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of the Philippines. Notably, he held the position of Commodore (Naval Plans) from 2018 to 2020, overseeing the formulation of the Indian Navy’s Perspective, Financial, and Acquisition Plans.
Elevated to the Flag Rank on 10 February 2020, Vice Admiral McCarty assumed the responsibilities of Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Staff Requirements) at the Naval Headquarters. In this role, he played a key role in Capability Development and formulated the Combat Policy of the Indian Navy. Before taking charge as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, he served as the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Fleet from 15 November 2022 to 9 November 2023.
Team BharatShakti
