Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar Takes Leadership of Indian Naval Academy

Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar has taken over as the Principal of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala, a leading institution for officer training and military education within the Indian Navy.

With a commissioning date of February 1992, Rear Admiral Athar brings more than 30 years of dedicated service to the Indian Navy. His career encompasses a blend of operational proficiency and substantial experience in military education, academic leadership, and specialized scientific fields.

An alumnus of Aligarh Muslim University with a degree in Electronics Engineering, the Flag Officer is a specialist in Meteorology, Oceanography, and Satellite Meteorology. He has undergone advanced professional training at the India Meteorological Department in Pune and the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad, significantly enhancing the Navy's environmental and maritime operational capabilities.

Rear Admiral Athar also completed advanced military education and strategic leadership training at the College of Defence Management in Secunderabad and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.

Prior to his current role, he led the Directorate of Naval Education at Naval Headquarters, where he played an integral role in developing education policies, curriculum, and professional training for the Indian Navy. Before that, he served as Commodore (Naval Education) and Vice Chairperson of the Naval Education Society, managing the Navy's educational institutions nationwide.

As the Principal of the Indian Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Athar will oversee the academic and professional education of officer cadets across various branches of the Indian Navy. The Academy, located in Ezhimala, serves as the Navy's foremost training facility, offering military, academic, physical, and leadership training to prepare future officers for the demands of modern maritime operations.

His appointment signifies the Indian Navy's ongoing commitment to enhancing professional military education and academic excellence. With a unique combination of operational experience, scientific expertise, and educational leadership, Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar is poised to strengthen the Academy's mission of producing technologically skilled, professionally capable, and future-ready naval officers dedicated to protecting India's maritime interests.