Atul Anand

{{Infobox military person

| honorific_prefix = Vice Admiral

| name = Atul Anand

| honorific_suffix = AVSM, VSM

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| image = File:VAdm Atul Anand.jpg

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| allegiance = {{IND}}

| branch = {{navy|India}}

| serviceyears = 1988 – present

| rank = 20px 20px Vice Admiral

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| commands = Karnataka Naval Area
Maharashtra Naval Area
{{ship|INS|Mumbai|D62}}
{{ship|INS|Khukri|P49}}
{{ship|INS|Chatak|K96}}
Torpedo recovery vessel A72

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| awards = 20px Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
20px Vishisht Seva Medal

| alma_mater = Indian Naval Academy

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Vice Admiral Atul Anand, AVSM, VSM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Additional Secretary to the Government of India at the Department of Military Affairs in Ministry of Defence. He earlier served as the Director General Naval Operations, as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area and as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the National Defence Academy.

Early life and education

Anand was born in an armed forces family. His father attended the National Defence Academy (NDA) as part of the 13th course. Anand also attended the NDA, as part of the 71st course.{{cite web |title=Pune: Rear Admiral Atul Anand assumes charge as Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of NDA |url=https://www.punekarnews.in/pune-rear-admiral-atul-anand-assumes-charge-as-deputy-commandant-and-chief-instructor-of-nda/ |website=Punekar News |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=8 June 2020}}

Naval career

Anand was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 January 1988. He is a specialist in Navigation and Direction. He spent his early years as the navigating officer of {{ship|INS|Sharda|P55}}, {{ship|INS|Ranvijay|D55}} and {{ship|INS|Jyoti|A58}}. He also was the Direction Officer of the Sea Harrier Squadron INAS 300.{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Atul Anand takes over as flag officer commanding in Maharashtra Naval area |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/rear-admiral-atul-anand-takes-over-as-flag-officer-commanding-in-maharashtra-naval-area/articleshow/81157060.cms |website=The Times of India |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=22 February 2021}} He attended the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He served as the Joint Director Staff Requirements at Naval headquarters.{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL ATUL ANAND, VSM TAKES OVER AS FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING MAHARASHTRA NAVAL AREA (FOMA) |url=https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1699939 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=17 March 2023}}

Anand commanded the Astravahini-class torpedo recovery vessel A72, the Chamak-class missile boat {{ship|INS|Chatak|K96}} and the lead ship of her class of corvettes, {{ship|INS|Khukri|P49}}. He served as the executive officer and the principal warfare officer of the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyers {{ship|INS|Delhi|D61}}.{{cite web |title=Rear Adm Atul Anand takes over as Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area (FOK) |url=https://indiannavy.nic.in/content/rear-adm-atul-anand-takes-over-flag-officer-commanding-karnataka-naval-area-fok |website=indiannavy.nic.in |access-date=17 March 2023}}

He then commanded Delhi's sister ship {{ship|INS|Mumbai|D62}}. In the rank of Captain, he served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington Cantonment. At NHQ, he served as the Director Naval Operations and as the Director Naval Intelligence (Ops). He also attended the Advance Security Cooperation Course at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, USA.{{cite web |title=REAR ADMIRAL ATUL ANAND, VSM ASSUMES CHARGE AS THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT AND CHIEF INSTRUCTOR, NDA, KHADAKWASLA PUNE |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1630270 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=17 March 2023}}

File:Commemoration of Vijay Diwas 2021 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai 02.jpg on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.]]

As a Commodore, in 2013, Anand attended the National Defence College as part of the 53rd course. He then served as the Principal Director Naval Operations and as the Principal Director Strategy, Concepts and Transformation, both at NHQ. In January 2015, he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.{{cite web |title=PIB |url=https://archive.pib.gov.in/archive2/erelease.aspx |website=archive.pib.gov.in |access-date=17 March 2023}}

=Flag rank=

Anand was promoted to flag rank and was appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) at Naval headquarters. In June 2020, he moved to Pune and took over as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of his alma-mater, National Defence Academy.{{cite web |title=Rear Admiral Atul Anand assumes charge at NDA, Khadakwasla |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/rear-admiral-atul-anand-assumes-charge-at-nda-khadakwasla/story-W4kr7H4JrFCZoNu0MP5YcO.html |website=Hindustan Times |access-date=17 March 2023 |language=en |date=9 June 2020}} After an eight-month stint, he was appointed Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) in February 2021.{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Ashish |title=Navy appoints new FOMA & FOCWF |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/navy-appoints-new-foma-focwf/ |website=The Daily Guardian |access-date=17 March 2023 |date=25 February 2021}} He took over from Rear Admiral Vennam Srinivas on 22 February 2021. For his tenure as FOMA, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on 26 January 2022.{{cite web |title=PRESS RELEASE - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL ON REPUBLIC DAY |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1792586 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=17 March 2023}} After a short tenure as FOMA, he moved to Karwar as the Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, taking over on 20 December 2021. On 1 April 2023, Anand was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed Director General Naval Operations (DGNO) at naval headquarters, succeeding Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar.{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Atul Anand takes over as director general naval operations |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/vice-admiral-atul-anand-assumes-charge-as-director-general-naval-operations-in-new-delhi-brings-extensive-experience-to-the-role-indiannavy-navaloperations-viceadmiralatulanand-11680348517452.html |website=mint |access-date=1 April 2023 |language=en |date=1 April 2023}} After a short stint as DGNO, he was appointed Additional Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs, headed by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan.{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Atul Anand takes over as Additional Secretary, DMA |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1937014 |website=pib.gov.in |access-date=12 July 2023}}

Awards and decorations

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|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati_Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vishisht_Seva_Medal_ribbon.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_star.svg|width=106}}

|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_medal.svg|width=106}}

Colspan=4|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Parakram_medal.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 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}

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Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

|Vishisht Seva Medal

|Operation Vijay Star

|Operation Vijay Medal

Operation Parakram Medal

|Colspan=2|75th Independence Anniversary Medal

|50th Independence Anniversary Medal

Colspan=2|20 Years Long Service Medal

|Colspan=2|9 Years Long Service Medal