Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania

Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania assumed charge as the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India on February 1, 2024.

Commissioned in the Executive branch of the Indian Navy in 1990, he is a Hydrography Specialist. The Flag Officer has commanded IN Ships Darshak and Sandhayak. During his career spanning more than three decades he carried out hydrographic surveys across the entire stretch of the country and in IOR including challenging task of data collection for IMBL arbitration and for production of new chart in Sundarbans delta. He also has the distinction of serving onboard HMS Bulldog of Royal Navy.

He has held various important shore appointments being Interviewing Officer & Deputy President of Naval Selection Board, Principal Director (Hydrography) at NHQ, Officer-in-Charge, National Hydrographic Office (NHO) and Joint Chief Hydrographer.

The Flag officer is a graduate of Naval Academy and alumni of International Maritime Academy (IMO), Trieste, Italy, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington and College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad. He holds a Masters degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from University of Madras and Masters of Management Studies (MMS) from Osmania University. The Admiral is an expert on International maritime laws pertaining to maritime boundary delimitation and has immensely contributed in addressing issues pertaining to maritime boundaries and settlement of Extended continental shelf beyond Exclusive Economic Zone.