Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh Takes Over as Commandant of National Defence Academy

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th May. Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh assumed the role of Commandant of the National Defence Academy (NDA) on May 25, 2024, succeeding Vice Admiral Ajay Kocchar. An alumnus of the NDA, Vice Admiral Singh was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990.

Vice Admiral Singh has an extensive career, having held several key positions both afloat and ashore. As a specialist in Gunnery and Missiles, he has served on Indian Naval Ships Ranjit and Prahar. Notably, he was part of the commissioning crew of three Indian-constructed warships: INS Brahmaputra as Gunnery Officer, INS Shivalik as Executive Officer, and INS Kochi as Commanding Officer. Additionally, he commanded INS Vidyut and INS Khukri. His instructional roles included serving at INS Dronacharya (Gunnery School) and as Deputy Commandant of the Naval War College, Goa. His staff tenures featured appointments at the Directorate of Personnel at NHQ, as Assistant Chief of Personnel (HRD), at the Directorate of Naval Intelligence, and with the Indian Naval Work-up Team.

On November 29, 2022, he became the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, where he emphasized operational preparedness with a focus on the mission of ‘Ordnance on Target.’ Promoted to Vice Admiral on January 15, 2024, he was appointed as Controller Personnel Service, where he initiated various improvements in working conditions for naval personnel and their community.

Vice Admiral Singh has received numerous accolades, including the Admiral Katari Trophy for standing first in his batch during ab initio training. Under his command, INS Khukri received the Chief of Naval Staff ‘Unit Citation’ in December 2011 for operational effectiveness and successful anti-piracy operations. He has also been awarded the FOC-in-C Commendation (2002), the Nao Sena Medal (2020), and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2024).

His academic credentials include an MSc and MPhil in Defence & Strategic Studies. He has completed the Staff Course at DSSC Wellington, Higher Command at the Naval War College, and NDC courses in India. He has also attended the Maritime Intelligence Course at the National Intelligence University (NIU) in Washington, and the United Nations Staff Officers Course (UNSOC) in Stockholm, Sweden.

With Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh’s extensive experience in operations, training, and human resource management, the National Defence Academy is poised to benefit greatly under his leadership.