New Delhi, March 24 -- Setting aside the seniority norm in appointing a Service chief for the second time, the Government on Saturday selected Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the new Navy chief after the incumbent Admiral Sunil Lanba retires on May 31 this year. Singh supersedes the senior most aspirant Vice Admiral Bimal Verma. In 2016, the present Army chief Rawat was selected for the top job superseding the then senior most officer Pravin Bakshi.

The incoming chief, who is at present serving as the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, will be the first helicopter pilot to become Chief of Naval Staff. Before the present appointment, Singh also served as Deputy Chief as well as Vice C...