Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM took over as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on 31 May 2026. He follows Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM, who retired after 41 years of notable service.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan joined the Indian Navy on 01 July 1987. As a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he has experienced a diverse array of operational, staff, and training roles throughout a distinguished career lasting almost four decades. Admiral Swaminathan’s naval commands encompass the guided missile ships INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, the guided missile corvette INS Kulish, the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
Upon his promotion to Rear Admiral, he took on the role of Chief Staff Officer (Training) at the Southern Naval Command Headquarters in Kochi. He was later designated as Flag Officer Sea Training and subsequently led the Western Fleet, the Sword Arm of the Indian Navy. He was later designated as Flag Officer for the Offshore Defence Advisory Group and served as Advisor for Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India.
Upon his promotion to Vice Admiral, he held the positions of Chief of Staff for the Western Naval Command and Controller of Personnel Services, as well as Chief of Personnel and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters. Before taking charge as the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Swaminathan served as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the esteemed Western Naval Command.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. His academic qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; MA in Defence Studies from King’s College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; and a PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.
Admiral Krishna Swaminathan is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.
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