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Indian Navy

About Indian Navy

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What is Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces — the other two forces included in safeguarding the country are the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Navy, while the Chief of Naval Staff commands the Navy.
 
The primary objective of the Indian Navy is to protect the country's maritime borders and help in the expansion of its forces. The naval body, whose establishment can be traced back to the 17th century, is bestowed with various responsibilities. From defeating threats to developing indigenous systems and weapons, the Indian Navy operates above, on and under the surface of the ocean to help create a secure maritime environment.
 
Every year, various job opportunities are made available in the Indian Navy. To be eligible for several Indian Navy jobs, you need mandatory 12+ qualification from any government-recognised board or university. There are two methods for applying — NDA (National Defence Academy) entry and Indian Naval Academy entry.

When is Navy Day celebrated?
 
Navy Day is celebrated in India on December 4. On the eve of December 4, the Indian Navy organises a Beating Retreat and Tatoo Ceremony at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.
 
Why is Navy Day celebrated?
 
Navy Day is celebrated to invoke the memory of the launch of Operation Trident during the Indo-Pak war in 1971. The day is celebrated as a mark of reverence to those who were martyred in the war.
 
What was Operation Trident?
 
Operation Trident was conducted in the night intervening December 4 and 5 when the Navy launched an attack on the Pakistan Naval Headquarters in Karachi. India drowned four Pakistani vessels and ravaged the Karachi harbour fuel fields. The operation killed over 500 Pakistani Navy personnel, while the Indian side suffered no losses. 
 
Operation Trident was followed up with another attack by the Indian Navy, code-named Operation Python. Again, India did not suffer any losses in the offensive and managed to damage Pakistani fleet tanker PNS Dacca beyond repair while causing them to lose the Kemari Oil Storage facility as well.

Latest Updates on Indian Navy

India's conventional submarine gap widens amid delays and regional rivalry

Experts express concern as Pakistan expands its fleet with air-independent propulsion technology

Updated On: 20 May 2026 | 11:28 PM IST

Continuous at-sea deterrence

The third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine in the Arihant class is thought to weigh 7,000 metric tonnes and is assigned to the Strategic Forces Command

Updated On: 20 May 2026 | 5:02 PM IST

India ready to counter any cross-border misadventure: Navy chief designate

Indian Navy is not a peacetime ceremonial force but an operational navy deployed continuously across the vast and complex maritime theatre, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan stressed

Updated On: 12 May 2026 | 9:21 AM IST

Govt appoints new CDS, Navy chief amid theatre command restructuring push

Lt Gen N S Raja Subramani (Retd.) to lead military integration push, while Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan takes charge amid maritime security challenges

Updated On: 10 May 2026 | 11:34 PM IST

Undersea drones

India is developing a new generation of autonomous systems to tackle mines

Updated On: 10 May 2026 | 2:18 PM IST

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan appointed as next Chief of the Naval Staff

Vice Admiral Swaminathan, who is presently the Western Naval Commander in Mumbai, will take charge on May 31, with his tenure lasting up to December 31, 2028

Updated On: 09 May 2026 | 9:36 AM IST

Theatre command recommendations submitted; joint ops centre by May-end: CDS

Work underway to set up geospatial and communication agencies for the armed forces

Updated On: 04 May 2026 | 3:36 PM IST

Indian submarine Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo for operational turnaround

The submarine's crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in the island nation

Updated On: 04 May 2026 | 2:16 PM IST

Best of BS Opinion: India feels diplomatic squeeze from W. Asia conflict

From Iran diplomacy and artificial intelligence risks to Great Nicobar strategy and Pakistan policy, today's Best of BS Opinion highlights key strategic and economic debates shaping India's outlook

Updated On: 02 May 2026 | 6:15 AM IST

India conducts successful maiden salvo launch of naval anti-ship missile

India successfully conducts maiden salvo launch of NASM-SR off Odisha coast, validating strike capability, waterline hit precision and enhancing naval combat strength

Updated On: 30 Apr 2026 | 11:17 PM IST

India's LR-AShM hypersonic missile nears trials, DRDO outlines capabilities

The Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) is designed to meet the coastal battery requirements of the Indian Navy

Updated On: 30 Apr 2026 | 2:01 PM IST

DRDO, Navy achieve hydrodynamic testing milestone for warship project

The work, led by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in collaboration with the Navy's Warship Design Bureau

Updated On: 25 Apr 2026 | 11:16 PM IST

Navy chief stresses operational synergy to address Indo-Pacific challenges

Admiral Tripathi was on a two-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), during which he reviewed the operational preparedness and discussed measures to strengthen jointmanship

Updated On: 23 Apr 2026 | 1:34 PM IST

Iran war, geopolitical upheaval to top agenda at naval commanders' meet

The commanders will also comprehensively review the Navy's operational posture to protect national maritime interests and capability development in line with national security objectives

Updated On: 12 Apr 2026 | 1:50 PM IST

Rajnath Singh commissions advanced stealth frigate INS Taragiri in Vizag

Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan were among the attendees, along with other senior Indian Navy officials

Updated On: 03 Apr 2026 | 11:18 PM IST

India inducts nuclear-powered submarine INS Aridhaman, boosts deterrence

India is among a select group of countries that possess nuclear-powered submarines. The countries that have such assets are the US, Russia, the UK, France and China

Updated On: 03 Apr 2026 | 5:53 PM IST

Defence Minister commissions INS Taragiri, says strong navy a 'necessity'

The stealth frigate represents India's significant advancement in indigenous warship design and construction

Updated On: 03 Apr 2026 | 4:23 PM IST

Navy ensures safety of Indian commercial ships, oil tankers: Rajnath Singh

Singh's comments assume significance following the disruption of oil supplies and blockage of oil tankers in view of the prevailing situation in West Asia

Updated On: 03 Apr 2026 | 2:44 PM IST

Hormuz crisis has caused economic strain, energy instability: Navy Chief

The admiral said competition at sea is no longer confined to oil and energy. It is expanding to resources that will shape future growth, he asserted

Updated On: 02 Apr 2026 | 5:19 PM IST

Navy was minutes away from striking Pak: Admiral Tripathi on Op Sindoor

Navy chief flags near-strike moment during Operation Sindoor, warns of rising maritime instability

Updated On: 01 Apr 2026 | 11:40 PM IST