Chief of the Naval Staff.

About Chief of the Naval Staff

The Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) is the professional head of the Indian Navy since 1955. The CNS is a permanent member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, National Security Council and Defence Planning Committee and serves as a senior advisor to the Minister of Defence, Prime Minister and the President, who is the supreme commander of the Defence Forces. The position is customarily held by a four-star admiral and is usually the highest ranking naval officer on active duty unless the Chief of Defence Staff is a naval officer. Prior to 1955, the position was known as the Commander in Chief, Indian Navy.