Chief of the Naval Staff of India 2024:  Admiral Dinesh Tripathi is appointed as the next chief of the Indian Navy. He is the 26th Chief of Naval Staff and has succeeded Chief Admiral R.Hari Kumar. Admiral Dinesh is presently the vice chief of navy staff and has had a long 40-year career. The new naval chief will assume his office on April 30.

Chief of Naval Staff of India heads the Indian Navy. He is the highest-ranking naval officer on active service of the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) except if the Chief of Defence is a navy officer. The post of Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) has always been held by a full Admiral since 1966.  

Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy (1947–1948)

Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy (1948–1950)

Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy (1950–1955)

Chief of the Naval Staff (1955–2021)

Highlights about Chief of the Naval Staff

1- When India gained Independence from British rule, the head of the Navy was designated the Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy. The title was changed to Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief, Royal Indian Navy on 21 June 1948. 

2- On 26 January 1950, India became a republic and the Royal designation was dropped from the title. The new title was Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander-in-Chief.

3- Commanders-In-Chief (Change in Designation) Act, 1955 redesignated the head of the Indian Navy to the Chief of Naval Staff. 

4- Until 1968, the post of Chief of Naval Staff was held by a three-star rank Vice Admiral and was upgraded to the four-star rank of a full Admiral.

5- The Chief of Naval Staff retires after serving three years on the post or at the age of 62, whichever is earlier. Vice-Admiral Ram Dass Katari is the only Navy Chief who served on the post for 4 years and 43 days.