1. Admiral Nirmal Verma assumed command of the Indian Navy on 31 Aug 09, as the 20th CNS and the 18th Indian to take over this office.

2. Admiral Nirmal Verma is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare. His nearly four decades of experience spans across various afloat and ashore appointments. His sea tenures include Commands of INS Udaygiri, a Leander Class Frigate; INS Ranvir, a Kashin Class Destroyer; and the Aircraft Carrier, INS Viraat. In assignments that shape future leadership of the Indian Navy, he has commanded the Indian Naval Academy at Goa, been Head of Naval Training Team at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, India, and Senior Directing Staff (Navy) at the National Defence College, New Delhi.

3. Admiral Verma's career is an amalgamation of Indian and global experience. As part of crew for the first Kashin Class Destroyer inducted into the Indian Navy in 1980, he trained in the former Soviet Union. He has attended professional mid and senior level courses at the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, UK and the Naval Command Course at the US Naval War College, Rhode Island respectively.

4. Upon elevation to Flag Rank, as a Rear Admiral he has contributed to consolidation of growth and development of the Naval Commands first as the Chief of Staff of Eastern Naval Command and thereafter as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.

5. Evolution of the maritime capabilities and policies for future induction were steered by Admiral Verma in his capacity as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans). On promotion to Vice Admiral in Nov 2005, he guided the Human Resource Development programmes of the Navy, formulating personnel and service policies as the Chief of Personnel.

6. In his capacity as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Verma, structured the framework for the transformation of the navies combat capabilities and infrastructure development. Prior to taking over as the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma, as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, he provided impetus to synergise the Coastal Security infrastructure.

7. The Admiral is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for meritorious service, and is also the Honorary Aide-de-Camp to the President of India.

8. Admiral Nirmal Verma is married to Madhulika and they have two sons Hemant and Anant, who are in the creative and business fields respectively.