New Delhi. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma took over as the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) today. He received the baton of Chairman, COSC from outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal P V Naik in a brief ceremonial function at South Block. Chief of Army Staff, Gen V K Singh was also present along with other senior officers from the services.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1970, Admiral Verma, a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, has four decades of experience spanning across various afloat and ashore appointments. His sea tenures include commands of INS Ranvir, a Kashin Class Destroyer and the Aircraft Carrier, INS Viraat. He is an alumnus of the Royal Naval Staff College, Greenwich, UK and the US Naval War College, Rhode Island. In the Flag Rank, he has been the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy & Plans), the Chief of Personnel, Vice Chief of Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.