Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar has assumed charge as the Principal of the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, taking on a key leadership role at the Indian Navy’s premier institution for officer training and professional military education.
Commissioned into the Indian Navy in February 1992, Rear Admiral Athar brings over three decades of distinguished service, combining operational expertise with extensive experience in military education, academic leadership and specialised scientific disciplines.
An Electronics Engineer from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the Flag Officer is a specialist in Meteorology, Oceanography and Satellite Meteorology, having undergone advanced professional training at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune, and the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad. His technical expertise has contributed significantly to enhancing the Navy’s capabilities in environmental and maritime operational planning.
Rear Admiral Athar is also an alumnus of the College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad, and the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, where he underwent higher military education and strategic leadership training.
Before assuming his new appointment, he was heading the Directorate of Naval Education at Naval Headquarters, where he played a pivotal role in shaping education policies, curriculum development and professional training within the Indian Navy. Earlier, he served as Commodore (Naval Education) and Vice Chairperson of the Naval Education Society (NES), overseeing the administration and development of the Navy’s educational institutions across the country.
As Principal of the Indian Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Athar will be responsible for overseeing the academic and professional education of officer cadets across various branches of the Indian Navy. The Academy at Ezhimala is the Navy’s premier training establishment, imparting military, academic, physical and leadership training to prepare future officers for the challenges of modern maritime operations.
His appointment reflects the Indian Navy’s continued emphasis on strengthening professional military education and academic excellence. With his unique blend of operational experience, scientific expertise and educational leadership, Rear Admiral S.M. Urooj Athar is expected to further enhance the Academy’s role in producing technologically proficient, professionally competent and future-ready naval officers committed to safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
