Indian Navy
The sea force of India: it guards the oceans, the coast and the ships that carry India's trade.
The Indian Navy protects India's coast and seas, keeps sea trade routes safe, fights wars at sea, and helps in rescue, relief and anti-piracy work. It has surface ships, submarines and its own aircraft. The head of the Navy is the Chief of the Naval Staff, an Admiral.
- Motto
- Sam No Varunah (May the Lord of the Water be auspicious unto us)
- Navy Day
- 4 December. It remembers Operation Trident of 1971, when the Navy attacked the port of Karachi during the war with Pakistan.
- Head of the service
- Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), an Admiral
- Headquarters
- Naval Headquarters, New Delhi
History in short
- 1612The East India Company's marine force begins, the root of the later Royal Indian Navy.
- 1950India becomes a republic; the Royal Indian Navy becomes the Indian Navy (26 January).
- 1961The Navy takes part in the liberation of Goa (Operation Vijay).
- 1971In the war with Pakistan, the Navy attacks Karachi harbour in Operation Trident (4 December) and Operation Python.
- 2013INS Vikramaditya joins the fleet as an aircraft carrier.
- 2022INS Vikrant, the first aircraft carrier built in India, is commissioned on 2 September. A new naval flag, inspired by the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is unveiled the same day.
Commands
- Western Naval CommandHeadquarters at Mumbai. Looks after the west coast and the Arabian Sea.
- Eastern Naval CommandHeadquarters at Visakhapatnam. Looks after the east coast and the Bay of Bengal.
- Southern Naval CommandHeadquarters at Kochi. The training command of the Navy.
- Andaman and Nicobar CommandA joint command of all three services, with headquarters at Port Blair. It was India's first tri-service command.
Branches and parts
- Executive branchOfficers who command ships and submarines. It includes the Naval Air arm (pilots and observers), the Submarine arm, Air Traffic Control and Hydrography.
- Engineering branchLooks after the ships' engines, machinery and hull.
- Electrical branchLooks after the ships' electrical, weapon and electronic systems.
- Education, Logistics and Law branchesTeaching, supplies, accounts and legal work.
- Naval AviationThe Navy's own aircraft and helicopters, which fly from ships and from shore bases.
- Marine Commandos (MARCOS)The special forces of the Navy, trained for operations from the sea, in water and on land.
- SailorsSailors join in trades such as Seaman, Engineering and Medical. They now join through the Agniveer scheme.
Ranks and insignia
The Navy uses sleeve stripes and shoulder badges; descriptions here are very simple. Check the official Navy website for the correct pictures.
Commissioned officers
| Rank (highest first) | Badge of rank |
|---|---|
| Admiral of the Fleet (ceremonial) | Five-star ceremonial rank; not given in recent times |
| Admiral | National emblem, crossed sword and baton, a star |
| Vice Admiral | National emblem and crossed sword and baton |
| Rear Admiral | A star above crossed sword and baton |
| Commodore | A wide stripe on the sleeve |
| Captain | Four stripes |
| Commander | Three stripes |
| Lieutenant Commander | Two stripes with a thin stripe between them |
| Lieutenant | Two stripes |
| Sub Lieutenant | One stripe |
Sailors
| Rank (highest first) | Badge of rank |
|---|---|
| Master Chief Petty Officer 1st Class | Badge of rank on the sleeve |
| Master Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class | Badge of rank on the sleeve |
| Chief Petty Officer | Badge of rank on the sleeve |
| Petty Officer | Badge of rank on the sleeve |
| Leading Seaman | Badge of rank on the sleeve |
| Seaman | No badge of rank |
Navy fleet and aircraft
19 entries in 6 groups. Tap one to read more.
Aircraft carriers
Frigates
Corvettes
Submarines
Naval aviation
Browse all of navy fleet and aircraft
How to join
- NDA (after Class 12)Through the UPSC NDA exam, then training at the NDA, Khadakwasla, and the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala.
- 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme (after Class 12)For students of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, selected through JEE Main and the SSB interview.
- CDS and other graduate entriesThe UPSC CDS exam for the Indian Naval Academy, and the Short Service Commission entries described on the official site.
- Sailor entry (Agniveer)Sailors join under the Agnipath scheme, which began in 2022. Details are on the official site.
Rules, age limits and dates change. Always read the official notification:
On this website:
Latest Navy news
Questions students ask
Why is Navy Day on 4 December?
Because on 4 December 1971, during the war with Pakistan, the Navy carried out Operation Trident on the port of Karachi.
What are the two aircraft carriers of India?
INS Vikramaditya, bought from Russia and in service since 2013, and INS Vikrant, the first carrier built in India, commissioned in 2022.
What is the difference between the Navy and the Coast Guard?
The Navy fights wars at sea. The Coast Guard guards India's coastal waters in peace time: it stops smuggling, rescues people and fights oil pollution. Both are under the Ministry of Defence.
Can I join the Navy after Class 12?
Yes: through the NDA exam, or the 10+2 (B.Tech) Cadet Entry Scheme if you studied Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Read the official notification for the current rules.