Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed his position as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on Saturday, August 1.
An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course at the Naval Academy in 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 specialises in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He completed the Defence Services Staff College course at Wellington and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.
With a career spanning over 36 years, Vice Admiral Pramod has held numerous command, operational, instructional, and staff roles, both afloat and ashore. His key afloat appointments include serving as Executive Officer of INS Rajput, a Guided Missile Destroyer, and commanding INS Abhay, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Patrol Vessel, INS Shardul, a Landing Ship Tank (Large), and INS Satpura, a Guided Missile Frigate.
He was also the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard after the Galwan incident. Vice Admiral Pramod participated in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001.
Ashore, he commanded INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station at Sri Vijaya Puram, and served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. His significant appointments at Naval Headquarters include Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Director, and Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition.
He was a member of the Tactical Audit Group from 2006 to 2009 and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council from 2016 to 2019. After promotion to Rear Admiral, he held the positions of Deputy Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
Upon elevation to Vice Admiral, he served as Director General Naval Operations from December 2023 to July 2026. In this role, he was intimately involved in the planning, preparedness, and operational readiness of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor and maritime security operations amid the ongoing West Asia Crisis.
Vice Admiral Pramod was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 recognising his distinguished service and operational leadership.
He succeeds Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, who retired on July 31, 2026, following more than 38 years of distinguished service.