Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM, assumed charge as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) on 29 May 2026.

An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Pune, Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1988.
A specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems, he has commanded Indian Naval Ships Nashak, Vibhuti, and Kirpan, and was the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the frigate Trikand.
The Flag Officer has also commanded the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
During his tenure, the carrier successfully completed the integration and operationalisation of its air wing