NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, AUG 1
India’s defence leadership entered a significant new phase on Saturday with Vice Admiral AN Pramod and Air Marshal Tejpal Singh taking charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff respectively, bringing decades of operational experience and decorated service to two crucial senior appointments.
The simultaneous assumption of charge by the two senior commanders comes as the Indian armed forces continue to sharpen operational preparedness across the maritime and aerial domains, with both officers carrying extensive experience in command, operations, training and strategic assignments.
- Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
- Air Marshal Tejpal Singh takes over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
- Two senior commanders bring extensive operational and leadership experience
- Pramod’s career spans 36 years of command, aviation and strategic operations
- Tejpal Singh is a fighter pilot with over 3,500 hours of flying experience
- Both decorated officers take charge as their predecessors superannuate
Pramod moves into Navy’s senior operational leadership
Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, #DCNS.
He succeeds Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, who superannuated on 31 Jul 2026 after more than 38 years of distinguished service in the #IndianNavy.https://t.co/TYGQbYvV80 https://t.co/hkc9QoTDIf
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 1, 2026
Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, assumed charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on August 1, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, who superannuated on July 31 after more than 38 years of service.
An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course, Naval Academy, Goa, Pramod was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. A CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist, he has undergone training at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.
His career spanning more than 36 years has covered command, operational, instructional and staff appointments both at sea and ashore.
Command experience from destroyers to frigates
Pramod’s afloat assignments include Executive Officer of INS Rajput, command of INS Abhay, INS Shardul and INS Satpura, giving him experience across guided missile destroyer, anti-submarine warfare patrol vessel, landing ship tank and guided missile frigate operations.
He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard, following the Galwan incident.
His operational record includes participation in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001.
His shore appointments included command of INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station at Sri Vijaya Puram, and Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.
At Naval Headquarters, he served in key aircraft acquisition and naval aviation appointments, besides being associated with the Tactical Audit Group and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council.
Operation Sindoor experience comes to fore
On elevation to Vice Admiral, Pramod served as Director General Naval Operations from December 13, 2023 to July 31, 2026.
In that role, he was closely involved in the planning, preparedness and operational readiness of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor, besides maritime security operations during the ongoing West Asia crisis.
His distinguished service has been recognised with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.
Tejpal Singh takes charge in IAF’s top operational hierarchy
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh, AVSM, VM assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force today. Commissioned on 16 Jun 1990 as a fighter pilot, the Air Marshal has over 3500 hours of flying experience. He is a Cat A Qualified Flying Instructor and an… pic.twitter.com/MNxTX25uv7
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 1, 2026
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh, AVSM, VM, assumed charge as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on August 1, succeeding Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, SYSM, AVSM, VM, who superannuated on July 31 after 39 years of distinguished service.
On assuming the appointment, Tejpal Singh laid a wreath at the National War Memorial, paying homage to personnel who laid down their lives in service of the nation.
Commissioned as a fighter pilot on June 16, 1990, Air Marshal Tejpal Singh has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flying experience. He is a Cat A Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot and has held key operational, command and staff appointments in the Indian Air Force.
Decorated fighter pilot at the Air Staff helm
His distinguished service has earned him the Vayu Sena Medal in January 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2021, awarded by the President of India.
His appointment places a highly experienced fighter pilot and test-flight professional in one of the Indian Air Force’s key senior leadership positions at a time when air power, technology, operational readiness and integrated warfare capabilities remain central to national security.
The elevation of Pramod and Tejpal Singh thus brings together maritime operational command and fighter aviation expertise at two pivotal points in India’s defence command structure, with both officers carrying substantial experience from frontline operations to strategic leadership.
