New Delhi: Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi was appointed as the Chief of Naval Staff on Thursday, succeeding Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar. Tripathi will take over the office from incumbent Chief Admiral Hari Kumar on April 30, 2024. Earlier this year, in January, Vice Admiral Tripathi assumed the role of Vice Chief of the Naval Staff.
A graduate of Sainik School Rewa and the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985.
Specialising in Communication and Electronic Warfare, Vice Admiral Tripathi has served on frontline warships in various capacities, including Signal Communication Officer, Electronic Warfare Officer, Executive Officer, and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Missile Destroyer INS Mumbai. He has commanded Indian Naval Ships Vinash, Kirch, and Trishul.
Throughout his career, he has held significant operational and staff positions, such as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet at Mumbai, Director of Naval Operations, Principal Director Network Centric Operations, and Principal Director Naval Plans in New Delhi.
After being promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) at NHQ and as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
In June 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed as Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy at Ezhimala, Kerala. He later served as the Director General of Naval Operations from July 2020 to May 2021, during which the Navy maintained a high operational tempo despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
From June 2021 to February 2023, Vice Admiral Tripathi served as the Chief of Personnel.
He is a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, where he was honoured with the Thimmaiya Medal. He also attended the Naval Higher Command Course and Naval Command College at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Islands in 2007-08, where he was awarded the prestigious Robert E Bateman International Prize.
Vice Admiral Tripathi is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Nausena Medal for his exemplary service. Beyond his military career, he is an enthusiastic sportsman with a keen interest in tennis, badminton, and cricket.
He is also passionate about international relations, military history, and the art and science of leadership.