Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) on 3 August 2026, taking over one of the Indian Navy’s most critical operational appointments. He succeeds Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, who served as DGNO during the Navy’s high-profile Operation Sindoor and has now moved on to become Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. With over 35 years of distinguished service and a background in Communication and Electronic Warfare, Vice Admiral Chadha brings deep operational expertise to a role that sits at the centre of India’s maritime security planning.
Who Is Vice Admiral Manish Chadha?
Vice Admiral Manish Chadha is an alumnus of the 78th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1991 and has since built a career spanning over 35 years of distinguished service. A specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he has undergone professional military education at some of the finest institutions, including the 61st Defence Services Staff College at Wellington and the Higher Command Course at the National Defence University in Washington, D.C., United States.
His career has been marked by a broad range of assignments, both afloat and ashore. At sea, he commanded some of the Navy’s most capable frontline platforms. These include Coast Guard Interceptor Boat CGS-05, the missile corvette INS Veer (K40), the Khukri-class corvette INS Kirpan (P44), and the Delhi-class guided missile destroyer INS Mysore (D60). He also served as the executive officer of the stealth frigate INS Talwar (F40), giving him deep familiarity with India’s multi-role naval fleet.
On the shore side, he has held several significant posts. He served as the Naval Attaché at the Embassy of India in Moscow, strengthening bilateral defence cooperation with Russia. At Naval Headquarters, he was involved in key communication projects, including the Very Low Frequency (VLF) programme and the Rukmani naval communication satellite project. He also served as the Director of the International Fleet Review 2016, a major multi-national naval event held in Visakhapatnam.
In recognition of his service, Vice Admiral Chadha was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2017 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2025.
Flag Rank Appointments
Vice Admiral Chadha was promoted to flag rank on 6 December 2021 and appointed the fifth Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area (FOGNA). In this role, he oversaw operations and administration of all naval units and establishments across Gujarat, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. After completing his tenure in November 2022, he moved to Naval Headquarters as the Assistant Chief of Personnel (Administration and Civilian).
On 10 November 2023, Chadha took over as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) at INS Kunjali, succeeding Rear Admiral A.N. Pramod, the very officer he would later replace as DGNO. After a year-long tenure, he handed over to Rear Admiral Anil Jaggi and returned to Naval Headquarters as the Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development).
On 1 August 2025, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala. In that role, he was responsible for training and shaping the next generation of Indian naval officers. He served there until his appointment as DGNO.
What Is the DGNO Role?
The Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) is one of the most critical appointments in the Indian Navy. The position is held by a three-star officer in the rank of Vice Admiral and is based at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi. The DGNO reports directly to the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff and is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing all operational aspects of the Indian Navy.
The DGNO heads Staff Branch-II at Naval Headquarters and supervises several key directorates, including the Directorate of Naval Operations, the Directorate of Special Operations and Diving, the Directorate of Information Warfare, the Directorate of Submarine Operations, the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology, and the Directorate of Network and Space Operations.
The role was upgraded to a three-star appointment in 2013. Before that, it existed as a two-star position called the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), or ACNS (Ops), which had been created in 1984. Vice Admiral Girish Luthra was the first officer to hold the designation of DGNO when the upgrade took effect in April 2013.
Several officers who have held this position have gone on to occupy the Navy’s top leadership roles. Vice Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who served as DGNO from 2020 to 2021, later became the Chief of the Naval Staff.
Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod’s Tenure and Operation Sindoor
Vice Admiral Chadha takes over from Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, AVSM, YSM, who served as DGNO from January 2024 to July 2026. Pramod’s tenure was marked by the Navy’s decisive role in Operation Sindoor, the Indian military response to the Pahalgam terror attack in May 2025. During this operation, the Indian Navy deployed 36 naval ships, including a Carrier Battle Group, along the Pakistani coast, effectively confining the Pakistan Navy to its ports.
As DGNO, Pramod was the primary coordinator of naval operations during the crisis. He formulated the Indian naval response plan in coordination with intelligence agencies, assessed the combat readiness of offensive and defensive platforms, and ensured the rapid deployment of ships, submarines, and MARCOS (Marine Commandos). His detailed planning and aggressive deployment in the North Arabian Sea earned him the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) for exceptional operational leadership.
On 1 August 2026, Vice Admiral Pramod was elevated to the position of Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti. His appointment as DCNS reflects the significant operational responsibility he shouldered during one of the most tense naval standoffs in India’s recent history.
The Road Ahead
Vice Admiral Chadha assumes the DGNO role at a critical juncture for the Indian Navy. The service is in the midst of a major modernisation drive, expanding its operational footprint across the Indo-Pacific while simultaneously upgrading its fleet with new aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines. The Navy’s role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region has grown significantly in recent years, driven by evolving regional security dynamics.
His background in Communication and Electronic Warfare positions him well for the increasing importance of network-centric warfare, cyber security, and satellite-based naval communication in modern maritime operations. As DGNO, he will oversee the Navy’s operational readiness at a time when India is consolidating the hard-won lessons of Operation Sindoor and preparing for future contingencies along both its western and northern maritime fronts.
Key Takeaways
- Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) on 3 August 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod.
- He is a Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist with over 35 years of service, commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1991.
- His key sea commands include INS Veer, INS Kirpan, INS Mysore, and Coast Guard Interceptor Boat CGS-05.
- The DGNO position was upgraded to a three-star rank in 2013, with Vice Admiral Girish Luthra as the first holder.
- His predecessor, Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod, was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) for his operational planning during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
- Vice Admiral Pramod has been elevated to Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff effective 1 August 2026.
