Malayali Vice Admiral A N Pramod takes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

NEW DELHI: Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, a native of Kuriachira in Thrissur, Kerala, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on Saturday. He succeeds Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who retired on July 31, 2026, after serving the Indian Navy for more than 38 years.

Vice Admiral Pramod played a key role in Operation Sindoor, India's military operation targeting Pakistan and Pakistan-based terrorist groups following the Pahalgam terror attack.

During his distinguished naval career, he also took part in the 1999 Kargil War and Operation Parakram along the India-Pakistan border in 2001. Following the India-China clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020, he served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard.

He has been honoured with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025 for his distinguished service. Before assuming his new role, he served as the Director General of Naval Operations.

Vice Admiral Pramod is married to Ambili Pramod, and the couple have two children, Chithranjali and Siddhant.

'A' Category Sea King Operations Officer

Vice Admiral Pramod is an 'A' Category Sea King Operations Officer and a specialist in communication and electronic warfare.

During his career spanning more than 36 years, he has held several command, operational, training and staff appointments both at sea and ashore.

He trained at the Indian Naval Academy in Goa and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. He also attended the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, and completed the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College in Goa.

Key positions held

1. Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Air)
2. Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area
3. Deputy Commandant, Indian Naval Academy
4. Member of the Tactical Audit Group and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council
5. Executive Officer of INS Rajput
6. Commanding Officer of INS Abhay, INS Shardul and INS Satpura
7. Joint Director (Naval Air Staff) at Naval Headquarters
8. Principal Director (Aircraft Acquisition)