Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan Assumes Charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff

In a significant leadership transition at the apex of the Indian Navy’s hierarchy, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, AVSM, NM, assumed the appointment of the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS). In keeping with military tradition and solemnity, the Flag Officer paid tribute to the nation's fallen heroes by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.

With over three decades of distinguished service across diverse domains of naval operations, strategy, and leadership, Vice Admiral Vatsayan is widely recognized for his operational acumen, visionary planning, and steady command in both peacetime and critical security scenarios.

A Career Anchored in Excellence and Operational Command

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1988, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems. An alumnus of the 71st course of the National Defence Academy, Pune, he has since played a pivotal role in shaping and executing India’s maritime strategy, with operational tenures on several frontline warships and shore establishments.

At sea, the Admiral served aboard:

• INS Mysore (as commissioning crew and later as Executive Officer)

• INS Nishank (Missile vessel)

• ICGS Sangram (pre-commissioning crew)

• Command of multiple combatants including:

  • CGS C-05 (Coast Guard)

  • INS Vibhuti and INS Nashak (Missile vessels)

  • INS Kuthar (Missile Corvette)

  • INS Sahyadri, where he served as the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the Guided Missile Frigate

In February 2020, at a time of heightened regional maritime security concerns following the Galwan Valley standoff, Vice Admiral Vatsayan took command as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF). Under his leadership, the fleet undertook critical operational deployments, multinational exercises, and maritime presence missions that significantly enhanced India’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific.

A Strategic Leader with Policy and Planning Expertise

Vice Admiral Vatsayan is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, the Naval War College, Goa, and the prestigious National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi. These institutions have sharpened his understanding of strategic affairs, operational planning, and defence policy formulation.

He has held several influential staff appointments at Naval Headquarters, including:

• Joint Director and Director of Personnel (Policy)

• Director Naval Plans (Perspective Planning)

• Principal Director Naval Plans, where he contributed significantly to long-term capability development

Upon promotion to Flag Rank in February 2018, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans), leading strategic initiatives, modernization programs, and force restructuring efforts.

His visionary leadership was formally recognized with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2021, honoring his meritorious service of a high order.

Leadership in Tri-Service Integration and Education

Vice Admiral Vatsayan has also been deeply involved in inter-services integration and defence education. He served as:

• Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA), where he oversaw tri-service cadet training

• Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), responsible for enhancing operational readiness, developing human capital, and supervising infrastructure development across Eastern Naval installations

More recently, he held dual tenures as:

• Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations)

• DCIDS (Policy, Plans & Force Development) at HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS)

In these roles, he spearheaded the joint planning and operational coordination across Army, Navy, and Air Force, strengthened frameworks for tri-service indigenisation, and helped formulate the next-generation force development policies critical to the evolution of India's Integrated Theatre Commands.

Looking Ahead: Vision as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff

As VCNS, Vice Admiral Vatsayan now assumes one of the most crucial roles in the Indian Navy—acting as the principal advisor to the Chief of Naval Staff on operational planning, resource management, and personnel policy. He will also oversee:

• Execution of Navy’s modernization programs

• Human resource and welfare initiatives

• Strategic joint capability development with other Services

• Promotion of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in naval platforms and systems

His experience in both operational command and strategic planning makes him ideally suited to lead the Indian Navy’s transformation as a blue-water force in an era marked by increasing challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Personal Life

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan is married to Sarita Vatsayan. The couple has two children: a son who holds a degree in Economics and an MBA from the Indian School of Business, and a daughter who has completed her graduation in Humanities.

A Legacy of Duty and Vision

As he takes charge as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Vatsayan's appointment marks a continuity of visionary leadership at the helm of India’s maritime forces. Known for his composure, strategic foresight, and deep operational insight, the Admiral is expected to drive key initiatives that will bolster the Navy’s regional influence, operational readiness, and technological prowess in the years ahead.