Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar takes charge as 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 29 May 2026; he earlier commanded INS Vikramaditya and the Western Fleet.
Summary
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar became the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 29 May 2026 and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. Commissioned on 1 July 1988, he is a Gunnery and Missile Systems specialist who commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the Western Fleet (2021) and served as Commandant of the National Defence Academy. He was Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, from 25 May 2024. He succeeds Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
Key facts
- Post
- 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
- Took charge
- 29 May 2026
- Commissioned
- 1 July 1988
- Specialisation
- Gunnery and Missile Systems
- Earlier
- Commanded INS Vikramaditya; Western Fleet (2021); Commandant, NDA
- Last post
- Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command
- Predecessor
- Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Who assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff on 29 May 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar assumed charge as the 48th VCNS on 29 May 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan.
Consider the following statements about Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar: 1. He has commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. 2. He served as Commandant of the National Defence Academy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
He commanded INS Vikramaditya and, after commanding the Western Fleet in 2021, served as Commandant, NDA.