Vice Admiral B Sivakumar Takes Charge as Chief of Materiel in Indian Navy

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar (AVSM, VSM) took charge as the 40th Chief of Materiel (COM) of the Indian Navy on 1 November 2025, succeeding Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh (AVSM, VSM).
He is known for his strong technical background, leadership skills, and vast experience in naval engineering and shipbuilding.

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar Takes Charge as Chief of Materiel in Indian Navy

About Vice Admiral B Sivakumar

• Commissioned: 1 July 1987 as an Electrical Officer
• Alumnus: 70th NDA Course
• Service Duration: 38 years
• Expertise Areas:
  • Warship systems
  • Electrical engineering
  • Naval dockyard operations
  • Strategic acquisition programmes

Academic Qualifications

Vice Admiral Sivakumar has an impressive academic profile:

• Master’s in Electrical Engineering – IIT Chennai
• Postgraduate in Higher Defence Management – Osmania University
• MPhil Degree – Madras University
• Graduate – National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi

His educational background strengthens his role in managing technical innovation and strategic planning for the Navy.

Career and Leadership Roles

He has served onboard major Indian Navy ships such as:

• INS Ranjit
• INS Kirpan
• INS Akshay

He also commanded INS Valsura, the Navy’s Electrical Training Base.

He is one of the few officers to have led both major electrical directorates at Naval Headquarters:

• Directorate of Weapons Equipment
• Directorate of Electrical Engineering

He has also served in leadership roles at Naval Dockyards in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.

Key Appointments and Strategic Roles

As a senior flag officer, Vice Admiral Sivakumar held several crucial posts:

• Additional Director General (Technical) – Project Seabird
• Chief Staff Officer (Technical) – Western Naval Command
• Admiral Superintendent – Naval Dockyard, Mumbai
• Assistant Chief of Materiel (IT & Systems)
• Programme Director – Advanced Technology Vessel Project (ATVP)
• Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition
• Director General – Naval Projects (Visakhapatnam)

These roles highlight his contribution to warship design, construction, modernisation, and naval infrastructure development.

Awards and Honours

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar has received:

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – for distinguished service of exceptional order
• Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) – for meritorious service

Legacy of Predecessor

Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh (AVSM, VSM), the outgoing Chief of Materiel, retired after 39 years of service.
His tenure was marked by:

• Improved technical readiness of the Navy
• High asset availability during Operation Sindoor
• Focus on future-ready and full-spectrum naval capabilities

Exam-Oriented Facts

• Name: Vice Admiral B Sivakumar
• New Position: Chief of Materiel (Indian Navy)
• Date of Appointment: 1 November 2025
• Predecessor: Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh (AVSM, VSM)
• Commissioned: 1 July 1987
• Service: 38 years
• Education: IIT Chennai, Osmania University, Madras University, NDC
• Key Projects: Project Seabird, ATVP, Warship Production & Acquisition
• Awards: Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM)
• Ships Served: INS Ranjit, INS Kirpan, INS Akshay
• Training Commanded: INS Valsura

Question & Answer

Q1. Who has taken charge as the 40th Chief of Materiel in the Indian Navy?
(a) Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh
(b) Vice Admiral B Sivakumar
(c) Admiral R Hari Kumar
(d) Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi
Answer: Vice Admiral B Sivakumar

Q2. When did Vice Admiral B Sivakumar assume charge as Chief of Materiel?
(a) 1 October 2025
(b) 1 November 2025
(c) 15 November 2025
(d) 1 December 2025
Answer: 1 November 2025

Q3. Vice Admiral B Sivakumar holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from which institute?
(a) IIT Delhi
(b) IIT Chennai
(c) IIT Bombay
(d) NIT Trichy
Answer: IIT Chennai

Q4. Which prestigious medals has Vice Admiral B Sivakumar received?
(a) Param Vishisht Seva Medal
(b) Kirti Chakra
(c) Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal
(d) Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal
Answer: Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal

Q5. Who did Vice Admiral B Sivakumar succeed as Chief of Materiel?
(a) Vice Admiral Dinesh Tripathi
(b) Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh
(c) Admiral R Hari Kumar
(d) Vice Admiral Anil Kumar
Answer: Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh

Q6. Vice Admiral B Sivakumar is an alumnus of which defence training institution?
(a) Defence Services Staff College, Wellington
(b) National Defence College (NDC)
(c) Indian Naval Academy
(d) Naval War College, Goa
Answer: National Defence College (NDC)

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