Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Naval Operations on 3 August 2026.

An alumnus of the 78th course of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Vice Admiral Manish Chadha was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1991. The Flag Officer is a communication and electronic warfare specialist. He is an alumnus of the 61st course at DSSC, Wellington, and completed the higher command course at the National Defence University, Washington, USA.

In a distinguished career spanning over 35 years, the Flag Officer has held a wide range of command, operational, instructional, and staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. His key afloat appointments include command of Coast Guard Interceptor Boat CGS-05 and Indian Naval Ships Veer, Kirpan, and Mysore.

The Flag Officer also served as the naval attaché at the Embassy of India, Moscow. At Naval Headquarters, he steered several key projects, including projects for VLF and satellite communications, besides serving as the director, International Fleet Review 2016.

On promotion to Flag Rank, he tenanted the appointments of Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area, Assistant Chief of Personnel (Administration and Civilian), Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, and Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development).

On elevation to the rank of Vice Admiral, he was appointed as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy, where he was responsible for ‘Shaping Future Naval Leadership...’.

In recognition of his distinguished service, the Flag Officer was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2017.