31 Aug : Vice Admiral Nirmal Kumar Verma, who once commanded India’s sole aircraft carrier INS Viraat on Monday took over as the new Navy chief from incumbent Admiral Sureesh Mehta, who retires from service.
Verma, who was born on 14th November in 1950, was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Navy on 1st July, 1970 and during his long service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.
His sea command experience includes the Leander-class Frigate INS Udaigiri, Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir and the flagship aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
Before taking over as Eastern Naval Command Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, he was the Navy vice chief and has been decorated with Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and honorary Aide de Camp of the President.
An alumnus of Royal Naval Staff College in United Kingdom and the US Naval War College, Verma has instructional experience at National Defence College as Senior Directing Staff and at Defence Services Staff College at Wellington.
He has also commanded the Naval Academy at Goa.