The Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have got their new Deputy Chiefs. Vice Admiral AN Pramod has assumed charge as the new Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) and Air Marshal Tejpal Singh as Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS).
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti was the previous DCNS who superannuated from service on July 31, 2026 after more than 38 years of distinguished service. While Air Marshal AK Bharti was the DG Air Operations (DGAO) and the face of the IAF operations during the Operation Sindoor in May 2025 against Pakistan, superannuated as the DCAS.
Admiral Pramod was the DG Naval Operations during the Operation Sindoor along with Air Marshal Bharti.
An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course, Naval Academy, Goa, Vice Admiral AN Pramod was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. The Flag Officer is a CAT ‘A’ Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist.
He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa.
In a distinguished career spanning over 36 years, the Flag Officer has held a wide range of command, operational, instructional, and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. His key afloat appointments include Executive Officer of INS Rajput, a Guided Missile Destroyer, and command of INS Abhay, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Patrol Vessel, INS Shardul, a Landing Ship Tank (Large) and INS Satpura, a Guided Missile Frigate.
He also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard, following the Galwan incident. The Flag Officer participated in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001.
On picking the rank of Vice Admiral, he served as the Director General Naval Operations from December 13, 2023 to July 31, 2026. As DGNO, he was closely involved in the planning, preparedness, and operational readiness of Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor and conduct of maritime security operations during the ongoing West Asia crisis.
In recognition of his distinguished service and operational leadership, the Flag Officer was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) in 2025.
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh Assumes Charge As Deputy Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Air Staff on August 1, 2026. On the occasion, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and paid homage to the brave souls who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.
Commissioned on June 16, 1990 as a fighter pilot, the Air Marshal has over 3500 hours of flying experience. He is a Category (Cat) A Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot. The Air Marshal has held key operational, command and staff appointments in the Indian Air Force.
In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded Vayu Sena Medal in Jan 2011 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in Jan 2021 by the President of India.
Air Marshal Tejpal Singh takes over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff from Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, who superannuated on July 26 after 39 years of glorious and distinguished service to the nation.