The Indian Navy

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The Indian Navy traces its roots back over 400 years, to a small trading company’s fleet. Today it operates India’s own aircraft carrier, built entirely at home. This article covers the Navy itself: its history, its structure, and its two carrier battle groups.

MCQ Questions

Indian Navy

1612

The year the East India Company’s own fleet began

Renamed the “Indian Navy” on 26 January 1950, the day India became a republic.

Structure

3 Commands

Western (Mumbai), Eastern (Visakhapatnam), Southern (Kochi, training-focused).

2013

INS Vikramaditya

Rebuilt from Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov, commissioned 16 November 2013.

2022

INS Vikrant

India’s first indigenously built carrier, commissioned 2 September 2022.

Shared Base

INS Kadamba

Both carriers are now homeported together at Karwar, Karnataka.

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📑 Contents

1History and name changes
2Command structure
3India’s two aircraft carriers
4Why INS Vikrant matters
5A naval force for the Indo-Pacific
6UPSC 2016: INS Astradharini
7SAMARTHAK: first indigenous multi-purpose vessel (Aug 2026)
8INS Nipun: 2nd Diving Support Vessel (Aug 2026)
9DRDO missile technology transfer (Aug 2026)

Must Know

History and name changes

RootsThe Indian Navy’s roots trace back to 1612, as the East India Company’s trading fleet.
NamesThe fleet was renamed several times, becoming the Royal Indian Navy in 1934.
TodayIt became simply the Indian Navy on 26 January 1950, the day India became a republic.
Why it mattersBecause this long history shows how India’s navy grew from a trading fleet to a modern force.

Command structure

Three CommandsThe Navy is organised into three operational commands: Western, Eastern and Southern.
WesternWestern Naval Command is at Mumbai, covering the Arabian Sea.
EasternEastern Naval Command is at Visakhapatnam, covering the Bay of Bengal.
SouthernSouthern Naval Command is at Kochi and mainly handles training.
MottoIts motto is Sam No Varunah, meaning may the Lord of Oceans be auspicious unto us.
Why it mattersBecause command structure shows how the navy guards both of India’s coasts.

Good to Know

India’s two aircraft carriers

Two CarriersIndia operates two aircraft carriers, the core of two carrier battle groups.
VikramadityaINS Vikramaditya, commissioned in 2013, was rebuilt from the Russian ship Admiral Gorshkov.
VikrantINS Vikrant, commissioned in 2022, is India’s first indigenously built carrier.
BuilderINS Vikrant was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the largest warship built in India.
HomeportBoth carriers are based at INS Kadamba in Karwar, Karnataka.
Why it mattersBecause carriers let India project power and protect its sea lanes far from its own coast.

Why INS Vikrant matters

ShiftINS Vikrant marks a shift from buying carriers to building them.
IndustryBuilding a carrier needs steel, propulsion, weapons and design skill together.
Self-RelianceIt is cited alongside submarine and missile programmes as a defence self-reliance milestone.
FlexibilityTwo carrier groups let India cover both its eastern and western seaboards.
How it helpsHome-built carriers reduce dependence on foreign builders and support local industry.

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Great to Know

A naval force for the Indo-Pacific

RoleIndia calls itself the primary guarantor of peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
OperationsThe navy runs named operations like Sankalp and Sadbhavna for specific missions.
HADRIt also does Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief when disasters strike.
BuildingShips like Samarthak and Nipun show India’s push to build vessels at home.
Why it mattersBecause a strong navy protects trade, coasts and regional stability together.
So whatSo the Indian Navy is both a shield for India and a partner for the region.

PYQ / Exam Angle

UPSC 2016: INS Astradharini

UPSC 2016UPSC and other competitive exams ask about naval vessels like INS Astradharini. View this question
Point testedThe exam checks the role of a specific Indian naval vessel.
TrapA common wrong answer misidentifies what type of ship the vessel is.
RecallINS Astradharini is an indigenously built naval vessel.

Current Affairs / So What

SAMARTHAK: first indigenous multi-purpose vessel (Aug 2026)

WhoL&T delivered Samarthak, the first Multi-Purpose Vessel, to the Indian Navy on 27 August 2026. (Source: PIB)
WhatThe ship has over 75% indigenous content and can do surveillance, patrolling and disaster relief. (Source: PIB)
NameSamarthak means the proponent, a ship designed for many missions. (Source: PIB)
Why it mattersBecause it shows Indian shipyards now build versatile naval platforms at home. (Source: PIB)

INS Nipun: 2nd Diving Support Vessel (Aug 2026)

WhoThe Navy will commission Nipun, the second Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, on 31 August 2026. (Source: PIB)
BuilderHindustan Shipyard Limited in Visakhapatnam designed and built it indigenously. (Source: PIB)
RoleIt boosts deep-sea diving and underwater support for the Navy. (Source: PIB)
Why it mattersBecause it is another step in India’s self-reliant defence shipbuilding. (Source: PIB)

DRDO missile technology transfer (Aug 2026)

WhoRaksha Mantri approved transferring DRDO’s missile technologies to Indian industry on 25 August 2026. (Source: PIB)
WhatAll conventional missile systems will be produced domestically by Indian firms. (Source: PIB)
Why it mattersBecause it boosts Aatmanirbharta in defence and local manufacturing. (Source: PIB)