{{short description|Indian Navy Admiral}} {{Infobox military person | honorific_prefix = Vice Admiral | name = A. N. Pramod | honorific_suffix = AVSM, YSM | native_name = | native_name_lang = | image = File:VAdm_AN_Pramod.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = | nickname = | birth_name = | allegiance = {{IND}} | branch = {{navy|India}} | service_years = July 1990 – present | rank = 20px 20px Vice Admiral | service_number = 03579-H <ref name="pib.gov.in">{{cite web |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref> | unit = | commands = INS Utkrosh<br/>{{ship|INS|Satpura|F48}}<br/>{{ship|INS|Shardul|2004}}<br/>{{ship|INS|Abhay|1989}} | battles = | battles_label = | awards = 20px Ati Vishisht Seva Medal<br/>20px Yudh Seva Medal | alma_mater = Indian Naval Academy | spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced --> | relations = | other_work = | signature = | website = | memorials = | module = }} Vice Admiral '''A. N. Pramod''', AVSM, YSM is a serving flag officer in the Indian Navy. {{As of|2025}}, he served as the Director General Naval Operations. He earlier served as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area and as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the Indian Naval Academy.
==Early life and education== Pramod attended the Naval Academy, Goa as part of the 38th Integrated Cadet Course.<ref name="DepCom INA">{{cite web |title=Deputy Commandant {{!}} INA |url=https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=Deputy_commandant |access-date=23 April 2023 |date=18 April 2021| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418142054/https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=Deputy_commandant | archive-date=2021-04-18 }}</ref>
==Naval career== Pramod was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1990. He is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. He trained as a naval aviator and qualified as a Naval Air Operations Officer. He underwent the Sea King observer course where he qualified as a 'Cat A' observer. He was awarded the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Rolling Trophy for standing first in flying training/ground subjects and the Uttar Pradesh trophy for being first in the Overall Order of Merit.<ref name="Deputy Comdt INA">{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral AN Pramod Assumes Charge as Deputy Commandant Indian Naval Academy {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-pramod-assumes-charge-deputy-commandant-indian-naval-academy |website=indiannavy.nic.in |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
Pramod stood second in the Long Communication Course. In his early years, he served as the Gunnery Officer II (GO II) of the Khukri-class corvette {{ship|INS|Kirpan|P44}} and as the Signal and Communications officer (SCO) of the Sukanya-class patrol vessel {{ship|INS|Sujata|P56}}. He also attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He served as Joint Director of Naval Air Staff and as the Joint Director of Aircraft Acquisition at naval headquarters.<ref name="PIB bio - FOMA">{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL AN PRAMOD ASSUMES CHARGE AS FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING MAHARASTRA NAVAL AREA (FOMA) |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1879710 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
Pramod commanded the lead ship of her class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes {{ship|INS|Abhay|1989|6}} and the lead ship of her class of Amphibious warfare vessels {{ship|INS|Shardul|2004}}. He served as the executive officer of the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyers {{ship|INS|Rajput|D51}}. He then commanded the Shivalik-class stealth multi-role frigate {{ship|INS|Satpura|F48}}. He led ''Satpura'' during the International Fleet Review 2016.<ref name="Deputy Comdt INA" />
In the rank of Captain, he attended the Naval Higher Command Course at the Naval War College, Goa. He also served as Directing Staff at his alma-mater, the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington Cantonment. At NHQ, he served as the Director of Aircraft Acquisition. As a Commodore, Pramod commanded the Indian naval air station INS Utkrosh at Port Blair. He also served as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. He subsequently moved to NHQ having been appointed Principal Director of Aircraft Acquisition.<ref name="IN website - FOMA">{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral AN Pramod assumes charge as Flag Officer Commanding Maharastra Naval Area (FOMA) {{!}} Indian Navy |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-admiral-pramod-assumes-charge-flag-officer-commanding-maharastra-naval-area-foma |website=indiannavy.nic.in |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref>
===Flag rank=== Pramod was promoted to flag rank in January 2021 and was appointed Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the Indian Naval Academy on 11 January 2021. After a fourteen-month stint, on 1 April 2022, he moved to Naval headquarters as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Air) (ACNS (Air)).<ref name="ACNS Air">{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL AJAY D THEOPHILUS ASSUMES CHARGE AS DEPUTY COMMANDANT, INA {{!}} INA |url=https://www.ina.gov.in/?q=node/1716 |website=www.ina.gov.in |access-date=23 April 2023}}</ref> In November that year, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA). He took over from Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta on 28 November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Change of Guard at Western Naval Command — Transcontinental Times |url=https://www.transcontinentaltimes.com/change-of-guard-at-naval-command/ |website=transcontinentaltimes.com |access-date=23 April 2023 |date=30 November 2022}}</ref> After a year-long tenure, he relinquished charge and handed over to Rear Admiral Manish Chadha. For his tenure as FOMA, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=75th REPUBLIC DAY PRESIDENT APPROVES DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND GALLANTRY AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999696 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=26 January 2024}}</ref> In the same month, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) at NHQ.<ref>{{cite web |title=ANI |url=https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1746893557414412479 |website=twitter.com |access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> He served as the DGNO during Operation Sindoor, for which he was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM).<ref name="pib.gov.in">{{cite web |title=President approves 127 Gallantry awards, 40 Distinguished Service awards & 290 Mention-in-Despatches on the eve of 79th Independence Day |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156515 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=14 August 2025}}</ref>
The citation for the YSM reads as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Naval Investiture Ceremony - 2026 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDh8PocmuQs |website=youtube.com |access-date=2 April 2026 |date=1 April 2026}}</ref> {{Blockquote| {{center|'''CITATION'''<br> '''Rear Admiral A. N. Pramod, AVSM'''<br> '''Director General Naval Operations'''}}
As DGNO, he played a vital role in shaping of naval operations in Operation Sindoor. As the Primary Coordinator of Naval Operations, he articulated and realised the Naval action plan in accordance with the specified national objectives. In the face of rapidly deteriorating security situation with Pakistan post the Pahalgam attack, he formulated and executed the Indian response plan in coordination with Intelligence agencies. He assessed the combat readiness of the offensive and defensive Indian naval targeting platforms and vectors in consultation with the operational commands to ensure immediate material readiness of ships and submarines, readiness of MARCOS, on-site availability of ordnance, overnight combat loading of platforms and the rapid deployment while ensuring complete operational information security. He formulated an escalation matrix to meet all the higher directives to ensure a punitive response to the Pakistani forces.
His detailed planning, aggressive deployment of Indian Naval assets in North Arabian Sea and innovative utilisation of special operations streams compelled and restricted Pakistan Navy to remain close to the Pakistan coast.
For his exceptional professionalism, meticulous operational planning and single-minded devotion to duty to the nation, and service as Director General Naval Operations during Operation Sindoor, Vice Admiral AN Pramod, AVSM is awarded the Yudh Seva Medal.|sign=|source=}}
==Personal life== Pramod is married to Ambili Pramod. The couple has a daughter, Chitranjali, and a son, Siddhanta.<ref name="DepCom INA" />
==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" |COLSPAN=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=IN Observer badge.png|width=100|alt=}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Yudh_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|width=106}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Sainya_Seva_Medal_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=75yearmedal.svg|width=106}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}} |- |colspan=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_30_Years_Long_Service_Ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} |}
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center; |COLSPAN=4|Observer (Navigator) Badge |- |Ati Vishisht Seva Medal |Yudh Seva Medal |Samanya Seva Medal |Operation Vijay Medal |- |Operation Parakram Medal |Sainya Seva Medal |75th Independence Anniversary Medal |50th Independence Anniversary Medal |- |30 Years Long Service Medal |colspan=2|20 Years Long Service Medal |9 Years Long Service Medal |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-mil}} {{s-bef|before = Tarun Sobti}} {{s-ttl|title=Deputy Commandant Indian Naval Academy|years=2021 – 2022}} {{s-aft|after=Ajay D. Theophilus}} {{s-bef|before = Sandeep Mehta}} {{s-ttl|title=Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area|years=2022 – 2023}} {{s-aft|after=Manish Chadha}} {{s-bef|before = Atul Anand}} {{s-ttl|title=Director General Naval Operations|years=2024 – Present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pramod, A. N.}} Category:Indian Navy vice admirals Category:Living people Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni Category:Indian naval aviators Category:Deputy Commandants of the Indian Naval Academy Category:Indian Naval Academy alumni Category:Flag Officers Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area Category:Directors General Naval Operations