Vice Admiral Karambir Singh to take over as the next CNS

Govt. of India has appointed Vice Adm Karambir Singh, PVSM AVSM ADC as the next Chief of the Naval Staff(CNS) on superannuation of Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM AVMS ADC on 31 May 2019. Vice Adm Karambir Singh would be the first helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy to be appointed as the CNS.

Vice Adm Karambir Singh, a native of Jalandhar, Punjab did his initial studies in various schools across the country wherever his father, who was in the Indian Airforce was posted. He finally graduated from Barnes School, Deolali Maharashtra before joining National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980, Vice Admiral Karambir earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1982 and has flown extensively on the Chetak and Kamov helicopters in support of Fleet Operations. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and has later served as Directing Staff in both these Institutions.

In his career spanning over 39 years, the Admiral has commanded Indian Coast Guard Ship Chandbibi, Missile Corvette INS Vijaydurg as well as two Guided Missile Destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi. He has also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. Ashore, the Admiral has served at Naval Headquarters as the Joint Director Naval Air Staff, and as Captain Air and Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Station at Mumbai. He has also served as a member of the Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS).

On promotion to flag rank, the Admiral was appointed as Chief of Staff, ENC. His other important flag appointments include Chief of Staff of the Tri-Services Command at Andaman & Nicobar Islands and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG).

In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has been the Director General Project Seabird, in-charge of infrastructure development of the Navy's modern base at Karwar. He was also assigned higher responsibilities as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at IHQ MoD(Navy) and as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC since 31 October 2017. The Admiral is a recipient of the Param Vishist Seva Medial (PVSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) awarded by the Hon'ble President of India.