Vice Admiral Alok Ananda takes helm of Ezhimala Indian Naval Academy

He succeeded Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, whose tenure was marked by visionary leadership, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to quality training.

In an X post, the Indian Naval Academy announced, "Vice Admiral Alok Ananda, YSM, assumed charge as the 13th Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, taking on the baton from Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM. An alumnus of the Naval Academy, Goa, and a Navigation & Direction specialist, he is a graduate of the #DSSC, Wellington, and the #NDC, Thailand. Over three decades of distinguished service, he has commanded INS Ghorpad and INS Satpura, served as an instructor at the #NDA, Khadakwasla, the Navigation & Direction School, Kochi, and #DSSC, Wellington, besides holding key appointments at Naval Headquarters, including Commodore Naval Operations and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans). Prior to assuming this appointment, he was the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet."

A distinguished Flag Officer, Vice Admiral Alok Ananda is an alumnus of the Naval Academy, Goa, and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1993. A Navigation and Direction specialist, he has done his staff course from Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and National Defence Course from NDC, Thailand.

In a career spanning more than three decades, he has held several key Operational, Staff and Instructional appointments which include command of INS Ghorpad and INS Satpura and instructor tenures at National Defence Academy (Khadakwasla), Navigation and Direction School (Kochi) and DSSC, Wellington.

His notable appointments at Naval Headquarters include Commodore Naval Operations and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans). In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) in 2016.

Prior to taking over as Commandant, INA, the Flag Officer was Commanding the prestigious Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam. (ANI)