Ajit Kumar P

Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC is an Indian Navy Admiral. He currently serves as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command. He assumed the position on 31 January 2019 after Vice Admiral Girish Luthra's retirement. Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice Chief of Naval Staff.[2][3]

Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC
Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P
Born	Ernakulam, Kerala, India[1]
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Navy
Years of service	1 June 1981 - present
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands held	Western Naval Command INS Mysore INS Mumbai INS Talwar INS Kulish
Awards	Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vishisht Seva Medal

Early life and education

He is an alumnus of Sainik School, Kazhakootam, Kerala and National Defence Academy, Pune. He has also attended the Naval Higher Command Course and the Naval War College, Newport (2004).[4][5][6]

Career

He was commissioned in the navy on 1 July 1981. He is a missile and gunnery specialist. He has commanded six ships including INS Kulish; INS Talwar; INS Mumbai and INS Mysore. He was deputed to the Mauritian Coast Guard on his first assignment where, over two and a half years, he commanded two patrol vessels. His staff assignments include Director Maritime Warfare Centre, Visakhapatnam; Commanding Officer of INS Dronacharya; Chief Staff Officer (Operations) of the Western Naval Command.[6][7]

In September 2009, he was promoted to flag rank as a Rear Admiral. Subsequently, his assignments included Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development) at IHQ of MoD; Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) and Chief of Staff of Southern Naval Command. He was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on 1 December 2013. As a Vice Admiral, he has served as the Commandant of Indian Naval Academy (December 2013 to February 2016). During his tenure as the commandant, there was expansion of the academy and different naval schools across the country were shifted to the main campus at Ezhimala. He has also served as the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) and as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy Planning & Force Development) at the HQ of MoD.[8][9]

He was appointed as Vice Chief of Naval Staff on 30 October 2017, succeeding Vice Admiral Karambir Singh.[7][6][10]

During his career, he has been awarded Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal for his service.[7][11]

Awards and decorations

Param Vishisht Seva Medal	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal	Vishisht Seva Medal	Samanya Seva Medal
Operation Vijay Medal	Operation Parakram Medal	Sainya Seva Medal	Videsh Seva Medal
50th Anniversary of Independence Medal	30 Years Long Service Medal	20 Years Long Service Medal	9 Years Long Service Medal

Personal life

He and his wife Sunita Kumar have a daughter. He is interested in reading and yoga.[6]

References

1. "Kerala's Ajit Kumar is new Navy Vice-Chief". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
2. "Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
3. @indiannavy (31 January 2019). "VAdm P Ajit Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM takes over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the premier Command of #IndianNavy in an impressive ceremony at Mumbai. Returns where he has commanded two frontline Destroyers + stealth frigate & was Chief Staff Offr (Ops)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
4. "Man who turned around INA Vice Admiral Ajit gets key post". Mathrubhumi - Online English Edition. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
5. "INA Commandant given farewell". The Hindu - Kerala Edition. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
6. "Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS) | Indian Navy". www.indiannavy.nic.in. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
7. "Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P, AVSM VSM assumes charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff (VCNS)". pib.nic.in. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
8. "Rear Admiral Ajit Kumar to be Commandant of Ezhimala Academy". The New Indian Express - Kochi Edition. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
9. http://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/man-who-turned-around-ina-vice-admiral-ajit-gets-key-post-english-news-1.845560
10. ANI (30 October 2017). "Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar P assumes charge of Vice Chief of Naval Staff". Business Standard India. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
11. "Press Information Bureau". pib.nic.in.