Vice Admiral Manish Chadha assumes command of Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala on August 1, 2025. Know his service record, INA importance & why this update is vital for defence exam aspirants.
A. Paramount Leadership Change at Indian Naval Academy
Vice Admiral Manish Chadha Assumes Command
On 1 August 2025, Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, took over as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA) at Ezhimala, succeeding Vice Admiral C. R. Praveen Nair, AVSM, NM The formal ceremony marked a new phase in INA’s leadership with full military honours and institutional pride.
Distinguished Service Record
A graduate of the 78th NDA course, Chadha was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1991 He specialized in Communication & Electronic Warfare and attended prestigious institutions including DSSC Wellington and the National Defense University, USA
Operational Commands & Staff Roles
His illustrious career includes command of ICGS‑05, missile corvettes INS Veer and INS Kirpan, as well as destroyer INS Mysore. He also served as Executive Officer on INS Talwar, and held key staff positions, including Naval Attaché in Moscow, Director of major naval projects like Project Amber and Rukmani, and coordination of the International Fleet Review 2016
Flag Rank Responsibilities
Chadha was promoted to Flag Rank on 6 December 2021, subsequently commanding the Gujarat Naval Area, and later the Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) from November 2023 until mid‑2025. He then held senior HR roles at Naval Headquarters, culminating in his selection for INA Commandant
Decorations & Recognition
Awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2017 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2025, Chadha’s record reflects his exemplary leadership and operational excellence
Vision for INA’s Future
As Commandant, Chadha is poised to steer INA into a new era—integrating advanced naval warfare education, fostering international military training collaborations, and reinforcing INA’s status as a global centre for officer training in the Indo‑Pacific region
B. Why this News Is Important
Strategic Leadership for Cadet Development
The appointment of Vice Admiral Chadha—who combines operational command experience with deep HR and training expertise—ensures that INA continues to produce officers equipped to meet evolving maritime challenges. His background signals a focus on modern officer education, vital for candidate roles in defence, railways (Technical), UPSC, CDS, and NDA exams.
Enhancing Institutional Excellence
INA is the premier training ground for future naval leaders and cadets from the Coast Guard and friendly foreign navies. A change at the top brings renewed momentum to curriculum innovation, technological adoption, and international collaboration—key topics in government‑exam current affairs.
Relevance to Exam Aspirants
For those preparing for positions in the armed forces, civil service, or roles involving national security infrastructure, understanding such leadership transitions is essential. It highlights how senior appointments shape defence training ecosystems and policy directions.
Timely & Credible Source
The coverage from ANI and major news agencies (UNI, WebIndia123) on 1 August 2025 establishes the timeliness and authority of the information—making it highly relevant for up‑to‑date current affairs exam preparation.
C. Historical Context: INA & Leadership Succession
Genesis and Evolution of INA
Commissioned in 2009, the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala is Asia’s largest naval training institute, designed to modernize and centralize officer training from the older system at Dartmoor (Goa) and Khadakwasla (Pune). INA delivers foundational training to naval, coast guard, and allied cadets and has received the President’s Colour in 2019.
Recent Commandants
Vice Admiral C. R. Praveen Nair, AVSM, NM, served as Commandant from August 2024 to July 2025, overseeing infrastructure expansion and curricular innovations before transitioning to a senior role at Naval HQ
Past Leadership Patterns
INA leadership traditionally rotates between officers with operational sea‑commands and those with HR/training backgrounds. This ensures balanced emphasis on both tactical knowledge and institutional capacity building.
Key Takeaways from “Vice Admiral Chadha Takes Command”
| No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Vice Admiral Manish Chadha took charge as INA Commandant on 1 August 2025, succeeding Vice Admiral C. R. Praveen Nair |
| 2 | Chadha was commissioned on 1 July 1991, and is specialized in Communication & Electronic Warfare with advanced staff training at DSSC Wellington and NDU, Washington DC |
| 3 | He commanded several vessels including ICGS‑05, INS Veer, INS Kirpan, and INS Mysore, and served in strategic staff roles like Naval Attaché to Russia and Director of International Fleet Review 2016 |
| 4 | After promotion to Flag Rank in December 2021, he led Gujarat Naval Area and Maharashtra Naval Area, before serving at Naval HQ in HR roles |
| 5 | Recipient of VSM (2017) and AVSM (2025), Chadha is expected to elevate INA’s role as a centre of excellence in maritime training and officer leadership |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is the new Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy (INA)?
Vice Admiral Manish Chadha, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Commandant of INA on 1 August 2025.
2. What is the educational and professional background of Vice Admiral Manish Chadha?
He is a graduate of the 78th NDA course and specialized in Communication & Electronic Warfare. He has completed staff courses from DSSC Wellington and the National Defense University, USA.
3. What are some of the major ships commanded by Vice Admiral Chadha?
He has commanded INS Veer, INS Kirpan, and INS Mysore, among others.
4. What major awards has Vice Admiral Chadha received?
He has received the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2017 and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2025.
5. Why is the Indian Naval Academy (INA) significant in India’s defence structure?
INA is Asia’s largest naval officer training institute, responsible for shaping the careers of naval cadets, including those from friendly foreign nations.
6. Where is the Indian Naval Academy located?
The INA is located at Ezhimala in Kerala, India.
7. When did the Indian Naval Academy receive the President’s Colour?
INA was awarded the President’s Colour in 2019.
8. What are some of the key appointments held by Vice Admiral Chadha before INA?
He served as Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area, Maharashtra Naval Area, and held senior HR positions at Naval Headquarters.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
