Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Appointed as New Vice Chief of Naval Staff

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Takes Command

Shimla:
On August 1, 2025, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, officially assumed the role of the 47th Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) of the Indian Navy. During a dignified ceremony, he honored the courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives for the nation by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial.

The Vice Admiral, originally from Hiranagar in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, has had a remarkable career that serves as a source of inspiration for both the people of Himachal Pradesh and the Indian Navy. He is married to Sarita Vatsayan and is a proud father of two—his son has earned an MBA from the Indian School of Business, while his daughter holds a degree in humanities.

With over thirty years of distinguished service, Vice Admiral Vatsayan has held numerous command, operational, and staff positions. As a specialist in gunnery and missile systems, he has served on various frontline warships and commanded several vessels, including INS Vibhuti, INS Nashak, and INS Sahyadri. His leadership was particularly evident during his tenure as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, where he led multiple operational deployments and exercises.

In addition to his command roles, Vice Admiral Vatsayan has contributed significantly in strategic and policy-making capacities, including positions such as Joint Director and Director of Personnel, Director Naval Plans, and Principal Director Naval Plans. He has also served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans), Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy, and Chief of Staff at the Eastern Naval Command. Most recently, he was the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy, Plans, and Force Development).

In recognition of his outstanding leadership and service, Vice Admiral Vatsayan was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021. As the new VCNS, he is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian Navy, utilizing his extensive experience and knowledge to foster the organization's development and success.