Inspector General Nuclear Safety

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Flag Officer Submarines
Flag of the IGNS (Vice Admiral's flag)
Incumbent
Vice Admiral A. Y. Sardesai
Indian Navy
AbbreviationIGNS
Reports toVice Chief of the Naval Staff
SeatNew Delhi
Formation9 March 2007
First holderVice Admiral K. N. Sushil

The Inspector General Nuclear Safety (IGNS) is a senior appointment in the Indian Navy. A three-star officer holding the rank of vice admiral, the IGNS is responsible for the nuclear and radiation safety of all naval nuclear reactors.

History

With the lead boat of the Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, INS Arihant slated to be launched, billet of Inspector General Nuclear Safety was created on 9 March 2007.[1] Vice Admiral K. N. Sushil was the first IGNS. Only submariners have held the appointment.[2]

Responsibilities

Reporting into the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, the IGNS is responsible for all aspects related to nuclear and radiation safety and inspection of naval nuclear reactors, handling of fissile material and nuclear waste in the Indian Navy. The IGNS is also the competent regulatory authority for naval nuclear plants and infrastructure. Under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962, the IGNS has the powers to lay down safety standards and frame rules and regulations in regard to the regulatory and safety requirement.[1]

Structure

The IGNS is responsible for induction and acquisition of special projects in the Indian Navy and setting up of related shore-based berthing and support infrastructure. He is assisted by the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Special Submarine Projects) (ACNS SSP). The Directorates of Nuclear Submarine Acquisition and Nuclear Submarine Project & Infrastructure report into the ACNS (SSP) while the Directorate of Submarine Safety (DSMS) reports directly into the IGNS.[3]

Appointees

Name Assumed office Left office Notes
Vice Admiral K. N. Sushil AVSM NM March 2007 August 2009 Later Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command.[4]
Vice Admiral Pradeep Kumar Chatterjee AVSM NM September 2009 May 2012 Later Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command.[5]
Vice Admiral M. T. Moraes AVSM May 2012 2015 [6]
Vice Admiral Srikant AVSM 2015 January 2018 Later Commandant of the National Defence College[7]
Vice Admiral S. V. Bhokare AVSM YSM NM February 2018 June 2021 [8]
Vice Admiral Vennam Srinivas AVSM NM June 2021 December 2023 Later Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command.[9]
Vice Admiral A. Y. Sardesai AVSM VSM January 2024 Present Current IGNS.[10]

See also

References

  1. Singh 2018, p. 249.
  2. archive, From our online (16 May 2012). "Sushil as chief of Southern Naval Command". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  3. "Staff Branch I". indiannavy.nic.in. Archived from the original on 2022-01-18. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  4. "High-level Indian Navy delegation inspects Nerpa". India Today. 10 February 2009. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  5. "Appointments" (PDF). www.spsnavalforces.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  6. "Appointments" (PDF). www.spsnavalforces.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  7. "Appointments". spsnavalforces.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  8. "Appointments". spsnavalforces.com. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  9. "VICE ADMIRAL V SRINIVAS TAKES OVER AS THE FLAG OFFICER COMMANDING-IN-CHIEF, SOUTHERN NAVAL COMMAND, KOCHI". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  10. "DRDO newsletter" (PDF). drdo.gov.in. Retrieved 19 May 2026.

Bibliography

  • Singh, Anup (2018), Blue Waters Ahoy!: The Indian Navy 2001-2010, HarperCollins Publishers India, ISBN 978-9353025526