Ajay Kochhar

Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, PVSM, AVSM, NM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy who is currently serving as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff since 2026. He previously served as the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command. He earlier served as the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy , and as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

Early life and education Kochhar is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and the Naval War College, Mumbai. He is also an alumnus of Royal College of Defence Studies, United Kingdom.

Naval career Kochhar was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1988. He is a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Warfare. He has commanded five warships. He commanded the Veer-class missile boats and . He served as the Joint Director at Naval Plans at naval headquarters. He also commanded the Khukri-class corvette, as a Commander. He also served as the Director of Staff Requirements at NHQ and as the third Commanding officer of aircraft carrier . During his tenure as CO Vikramaditya, the carrier successfully completed the integration and operationalisation of its air wing. In the rank of Commodore, he served as Principal Director DSCT at NHQ. As the ACCP, he oversaw the construction of the indigenous aircraft carrier. On 24 February 2021, he took over as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet succeeding Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

After promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, on 1 April 2022, Kochhar took over as the Commandant of the National Defence Academy succeeding Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor. After a two-year stint, he assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command on 25 May 2024 succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla.

On 1 October 2025, Kochhar took over as the Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command succeeding Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana who moved as Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command. He relinquished the appointment of CINCAN on 25 May 2026. After a short stint, on 29 May 2026, he took over as the 48th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan who moved to Western Naval Command as its FOCinC. thumb

Personal life Kochhar is married to Reyman, an artist. The couple has two children.

Awards and decorations Kochhar was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022 and the Nao Sena Medal.