Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Assumes Charge as 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan has officially taken over as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS) as of August 1, 2025. In a solemn ceremony marking his new role, he paid tribute to the nation’s heroes by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial in New Delhi. With over three decades of distinguished service in the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Vatsayan brings a wealth of experience and leadership to this critical position.
Career Background and Naval Experience
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan is an alumnus of the 71st course at the National Defence Academy in Pune and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1988. He specializes in Gunnery and Missile Systems and has held a variety of command, operational, and staff roles throughout his extensive career. His experience at sea includes serving on several frontline warships, where he was part of the commissioning crew for the Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mysore and the INS Nishank, as well as the pre-commissioning crew for the Coast Guard OPV ICGS Sangram.
He has commanded multiple vessels, including Coast Guard ship C-05, Missile Vessels INS Vibhuti and INS Nashak, Missile Corvette INS Kuthar, and the Guided Missile Frigate INS Sahyadri, where he served as the commissioning commanding officer. In February 2020, he took command of the Eastern Fleet, leading numerous operational deployments during a period of increased maritime activity following the events at Galwan.
Strategic Roles and Leadership Achievements
Vice Admiral Vatsayan is a graduate of several prestigious military institutions, including the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, the Naval War College in Goa, and the National Defence College in New Delhi. His strategic acumen has been demonstrated in key staff roles at Naval Headquarters, where he served as Joint Director and Director of Personnel (Policy), Director of Naval Plans (Perspective Planning), and Principal Director of Naval Plans.
Promoted to Flag Rank in February 2018, he initially served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) before commanding the Eastern Fleet. His exceptional leadership earned him the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021. Following this, he was appointed as the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy and later became the Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command, where he focused on operational readiness, personnel development, and infrastructure enhancement.
Recent Appointments and Contributions
Before his current role as VCNS, Vice Admiral Vatsayan served as the Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (DCIDS) for Operations and later for Policy, Plans, and Force Development at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. In these positions, he played a significant role in coordinating operations, enhancing integration among the armed forces, and developing policies that promote indigenisation across the three services.
His extensive experience and strategic vision are expected to guide the Indian Navy in navigating contemporary maritime challenges and enhancing its operational capabilities. Vice Admiral Vatsayan is married to Sarita, and they have two children: a son who graduated in Economics and completed his MBA from the Indian School of Business, and a daughter who holds a degree in Humanities.
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