Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM, YSM, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on August 1, 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, who superannuated from service on July 31, 2026 after more than 38 years of distinguished service.

An alumnus of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course from the Naval Academy in Goa, Vice Admiral Pramod was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990. He is a CAT 'A' Sea King Air Operations Officer and a Communication and Electronic Warfare Specialist, having also attended the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington and the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College in Goa.

With a career spanning over 36 years, the Flag Officer has held numerous command, operational, instructional, and staff appointments both afloat and ashore. His key afloat appointments include serving as Executive Officer of INS Rajput (a Guided Missile Destroyer), and commanding INS Abhay (an Anti-Submarine Warfare Patrol Vessel), INS Shardul (a Landing Ship Tank Large), and INS Satpura (a Guided Missile Frigate). He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet during Operation Snow Leopard following the Galwan incident, and participated in Operation Vijay in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001.

Ashore, Vice Admiral Pramod commanded INS Utkrosh, the Naval Air Station at Sri Vijaya Puram, and served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. His key appointments at Naval Headquarters include Joint Director Naval Air Staff, Director and Principal Director Aircraft Acquisition. He was also a member of the Tactical Audit Group from 2006 to 2009 and the Indian Naval Strategic and Operational Council from 2016 to 2019.

On promotion to Rear Admiral, he held appointments as Deputy Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air), and Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area. Most recently, as Vice Admiral, he served as Director General Naval Operations from December 13, 2023, to July 31, 2026, where he was closely involved in planning, preparedness, and operational readiness of the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor and maritime security operations during the ongoing West Asia crisis.

In recognition of his service, Vice Admiral Pramod was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal in 2025.