Outgoing VCNS Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan with wife Sarita Vatsayan, and incoming VCNS Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar with wife Reyman Kochhar, at the formal Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Outgoing VCNS Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan inspects the guard of honour during the Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026, in one of his final official acts as Vice Chief. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Outgoing VCNS Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, accompanied by wife Sarita Vatsayan, arrives at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, for the formal handover ceremony on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Outgoing Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and his successor Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar stand together during the VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and incoming Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar meet senior officials on the sidelines of the VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar and outgoing Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan interact with naval officers during the formal handover at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026, marking the official transition of the VCNS role. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar exchange a formal handshake at the VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026, symbolising the official transfer of charge. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
The formal transfer of charge as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff is captured in a handshake between Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Newly appointed VCNS Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar inspects the guard of honour at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026, in one of his first formal acts after assuming charge as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, the newly appointed Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, reviews the naval guard of honour at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, during the formal VCNS handover on 29 May 2026. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar, the newly appointed Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, arrives at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026 to attend the formal VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is seen arriving at South Block Lawn ahead of the VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony in New Delhi on 29 May 2026, ahead of formally taking charge of the Indian Navy's second-highest post. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)
Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar arrives at South Block Lawn, New Delhi, on 29 May 2026 to participate in the VCNS Handing Over-Taking Over Ceremony, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan as the Indian Navy's Vice Chief. (Photo: NationPress/Qamar Sibtain)