Vice Admiral Manish Chadha Assumes Command of Indian Naval Academy

The Indian Naval Academy (INA) in Ezhimala has undergone a significant leadership change with Vice Admiral Manish Chadha AVSM, VSM taking over as the new Commandant. He succeeds Vice Admiral CR Praveen Nair AVSM, NM. The ceremonial handover was marked by full military honours at the INA campus, underscoring the event's importance in shaping the future leadership of the Indian Navy.

Vice Admiral Chadha, who was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1991, brings with him 34 years of experience. A graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), he specializes in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His leadership roles have included command of notable warships such as INS Mysore, INS Veer, and INS Kirpan. His strategic and operational expertise is further enhanced by training at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and the Higher Command Course at the National Defence University in Washington, USA.

Prior to his appointment as Commandant, Vice Admiral Chadha served as the Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development) at Naval Headquarters. His extensive background in training and personnel development equips him well to lead the INA, India's leading officer training establishment, which was inaugurated in 2009 with an investment of ₹721 crore.

This leadership transition follows structured succession practices designed to preserve institutional knowledge and sustain operational readiness. Situated between Ezhimala hill and Kavvayi backwaters, the INA plays a crucial role in India's naval preparedness, particularly under the AatmaNirbhar Bharat initiative. The academy, with its 7-kilometre beachfront on the Laccadive Sea, continues to prepare future-ready officers through comprehensive training and state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Under Vice Admiral Chadha’s leadership, the academy is expected to further enhance its status as a center of maritime excellence in the Indo-Pacific region.