Surgeon Rear Admiral M Ilankumaran Takes Over as Command Medical Officer of Southern Naval Command

Surgeon Rear Admiral M Ilankumaran has taken on the role of Command Medical Officer at the Headquarters Southern Naval Command on May 19, 2026. He follows Surgeon Rear Admiral Samir Kapoor, VSM, in this position.

The Flag Officer, who graduated from Madurai Medical College, entered the Indian Navy on June 30, 1993.

Throughout a career spanning close to thirty years, Surg RAdm Ilankumaran has held command at INHS Patanjali and occupied key staff roles at the Western Naval Command and Naval Headquarters.

With a specialization in Community Medicine, he is highly skilled in public health, preventive medicine, and medical administration, enriching his new role with significant expertise.

Before assuming his current post, he was the Executive Officer of INHS Asvini in Mumbai.

This appointment underlines the continued focus of the Armed Forces Medical Services on bolstering leadership in operational healthcare and enhancing medical support across naval commands.