New Delhi. The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Karambir Singh, presently Flag Officer Commander-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command as the next Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) with effect from afternoon of May 31, 2019.

He replaces the present Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba, who retires on the same day.

Born on November 3, 1959, Vice Admiral Karambir Singh was commissioned on July 1, 1980 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy.

During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. Vice Admiral Singh’s Sea Command includes Guided Missile Destroyers INS Rana and INS Delhi.

He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet and was Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujrat area. Before taking over as FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command in October 2017, he was Director General Project Seabird, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (DCNS) and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS).

Vice Admiral Karambir Singh is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington. Vice Admiral Karambir Singh is a recipient of President’s awards of Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).