Vice Admiral S.N. Ghormade assumed the charge of Director General of Naval Operations on October 21 — at the IHQ MoD (N). The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1984. He is a graduate of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune; United States Naval Staff College at Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island; and the Naval War College, Mumbai.

During his career spanning over 32 years, he has been through a myriad of operational and staff appointments. His operational appointments include commands of the guided missile frigate INS Brahmaputra, submarine rescue vessel INS Nireekshak and minesweeper INS Allepey and second in command of guided missile frigate INS Ganga. His important staff appointments ashore include Principal Director of Personnel, Director Naval Plans and Joint Director Naval Plans at Naval Headquarters (as separate assignments), Director (Military Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Local Work Up Team (West), Instructor at Navigation Direction School and National Defence Academy. Upon promotion to the Flag Rank in 2012, the Flag Officer has held the appointments of Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resources Development) and Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area. Prior taking over as DGNO he was the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.