North Bay of Bengal.   IN Ships Khanjar and Kirpan, were deployed on the eastern seaboard (North Bay of Bengal and Preparis Channel in Andaman Sea), from 24 Mar to 02 Apr 04, to maintain surveillance in our areas of interest.  During the deployment, the ships carried out an Operational Turn Around (OTR) at Yangon (Myanmar) from 29 to 30 Mar 04.

Op SIRIUS.  The naval ships were regularly deployed on patrol, off the Southern and Eastern coast of Sri Lanka, during the period under review.

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IN-SLN Operational Review Meetings (ORM).  The Eighth IN and Sri Lankan Navy ORM, was held in New Delhi from 03 to 05 Mar 04.  The Ninth IN and Sri Lankan Navy ORM was held at Colombo from 01 to 04 Sep 04.  During the meeting, issues pertaining to the security environment in Palk Bay, harassment of Indian fishermen by LTTE/unidentified personnel near Maritime Boundary Line, surveillance assistance to Sri Lankan Navy, etc were discussed.

IN-USN SOP Development Conference.  The bilateral IN-USN Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Development Conference was held at Guam, USA from 06 to 09 April 04.

9th IMBL Meeting.   The 9th International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) Meeting between IN and Sri Lankan Navy, was held in the Palk Bay on board INS Sukanya on 20 May 04. 

IN-FN Operational Talks.  The annual Operational Talks with the French Navy were held at Reunion Island from 10 to 12 Jun 04.

Planning Conferences for Exercise MALABAR CY-04.  The initial Planning Conference for annual IN-USN exercise MALABAR CY-04 was held at New Delhi from 15 to 17 Jun 04.  The final Planning Conference for Exercise MALABAR CY-04 was held at Goa from 07 to 09 Sep 04.  the final schedule of exercises, procedures etc was finalized during the conference.

Mid Year Review of Indian Navy-US Navy Executive Steering Group Meeting.  The Mid-Year Review of the Indian Navy - US Navy Executive Steering Group Meeting was held at New Delhi from 13 to 14 Jul 04.

SAREX CY-05.  The Initial Planning Conference (IPC) for IN-USN Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX) CY-05 was held at Goa on 10 Sep 04.  The exercise is scheduled to be conducted off Chennai in early Mar 05.

Navy to Navy Staff Talks.    Navy to Navy Staff Talks were held as follows:-

Exercise VARUNA 04/1.  The largest ever bilateral exercise with the French Navy was held off Goa from 06 Apr to 15 Apr 04 off the Western seaboard, in which 06 ships including the latest French aircraft carrier ‘Charles de Gaulle’, an SSN (Nuclear submarine) and 07 aircraft of the French Task force participated.  The Task Force also included a Royal Navy ship.  The IN had fielded 6 ships, a submarine and 5 aircraft during the exercise.  The work-up phase was conducted from 06-08 Apr 04, followed by the exercise phase from 10–14 Apr 04.  The French Naval ships entered Goa and Mumbai harbours on completion of the exercise on 15 Apr 04, and departed on 19 Apr 04.

Varuna 2005.           The focus for Varuna 2005, scheduled in Mar 05, would be on Mine Counter Measure Exercise (MCMX). Two FN Tripartite Mine Hunters led by their support ship are likely to participate. 

United Kingdom

Exercise KONKAN.  The first bilateral joint exercise with the Royal Navy codenamed Konkan 04 was held off Chennai from 17-19 Apr 04. HMS Exeter and RFA Gray Rover participated in the exercise. This was a basic level exercise. Konkan 2005 and Konkan 2006 are currently in the planning stage.

Indonesia

IND-INDO CORPAT. 

• The Third Indian Navy-Indonesian Navy Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDOCORPAT) was conducted, off Andaman & Nicopbar Islands from 05 Mar to 03 Apr 04. 

• The Fourth patrol of the series was conducted from 01 to 28 Sep 04.  IN Ships Tarassa and Tarmugli participated in the patrol from the IN side and KRI Kapitan Patimura participated from the Indonesian Navy during the month long patrol.

Japan

PASSEX with JMSDF Ships.  Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF)  Ships Kongou (DDG), Ariake (DDG) and Towada (Tanker) carried out Passage Exercises (PASSEX) with IN Ships Talwar and Brahmaputra  150 Nm off Mumbai on 02 Sep 04.  

USA

Exercise MALABAR CY-04. 

• The joint Indo-US Navy bilateral exercise MALABAR CY-04 (Calendar Year 04) was held off Goa from 01 to 10 Oct 04. 

• IN ships Mysore, Brahmaputra, Shankul (SSK submarine) and Aditya participated in the exercise from the Indian Navy side.  From the US Navy side, USS Cowpens (Ticonderoga Class Destroyer), USS Gary (Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate) and USS Alexandria (Los Angeles Class Nuclear Submarine) participated in the exercise.  In addition, P3C Orion, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), TU 142 M Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft (MRASW), Dornier (MPA), Sea Harrier fighters and integral helicopters also participated. 

• The thrust of the exercises this year was on Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Sea Control Missions, Fleet Air Defence, Surface Firings, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) and Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations. 

• In order to streamline interoperability and derive maximum training       value from such exercises, Standard Operating Procedures          (SOPs) between       the two navies have been finalised, which were also tried out during Exercise MALABAR CY-04.

Special Forces Exercise SANGAM 04.    Two weeks naval Special Forces Exercise, SANGAM 04, was held  at Ganpatipule, India from 08 to 24 Oct 04. The thrust of this exercise was on VBSS operations.

The details of other interaction with foreign navies, during the period under review, are tabulated below: -

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Important Visits by Dignitaries.    Important visits by Dignitaries are tabulated as follows:-

Visits by Chiefs of Navies. Following Chiefs of Navies from foreign countries visited for discussions and mutual co-operation: -

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Diving Assistance.  Diving assistance was provided for rescuing a boy who had fallen into a pool at Village Madanpur Dabas  (near Rohini) on 17 Jul 04 and on 30 Jul 04 to assess the underwater damage caused to one of the pillars of the Venduruthy Rail bridge, at Kochi. Assistance was also provided to ONGC for assisting them to undertake enquiry of a fatal diving accident.

SAR Operations for Missing Person off Agatti Island.   IN and CG Dornier aircraft, MI-8 helicopter from IAF and vessels from Lakshadweep Administration undertook SAR operations from 16 Sep to 19 Sep 04, for a missing person namely Shri Udai Sher Singh, a dive instructor who was reported missing off Agatti island in Lakshadeep group of Islands.   The SAR operations could not locate the person/dead body and the operations were terminated PM 19 Sep 04.

TSUNAMI DISASTER RELIEF BY THE INDIAN NAVY

Consequent upon the earthquake and Tsunami waves that ravaged large areas in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and India on 26 Dec 04, the relief operations were undertaken by the Indian Navy are enumerated in succeeding paragraphs.

Relief Operations

Op SEAWAVES.    This operation was coordinated by HQIDS. About 15 ships and two naval aircraft were deployed for providing relief assistance to the affected areas in Andaman and Nicobar Islands by 26 Dec 04. Far flung islands were provided with the most essential relief items and medical attention. A total of over 200 tons of relief material was transported (as on 31 Dec 04) from mainland that included satellite communication sets, generators, water purification plants, medicines, provisions, etc.

Op MADAD.    Eight ships and naval aircraft were deployed immediately after the disaster on 26 Dec 04 to provide relief to various affected areas in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Many medical and relief camps were set up. Assistance provided included immediate supply of food and drinking water, diving operations for retrieval of dead bodies, underwater damage assessment, salvage operations, harbour clearance, restoration of essential services etc.

Op RAINBOW.      Seven ships including one hospital ship (Survey Vessel) and two fixed wing aircraft were deployed to various locations in Sri Lanka for relief operations commencing 26 Dec 04. Many relief camps and medical camps were set up. Assistance was provided for debris clearance, restoration of power, water and communication facilities, hydrographic survey of harbours etc. IN Survey ships Sutlej and Sarvekshak undertook extensive hydrographic survey of Galle harbour that was closed down due to the sinking of boats and. fishing trawlers. IN Diving teams were deployed to remove the sunken boats. Thereafter, the two IN ships entered Galle harbour and thereby helping the port to be declared open for commercial traffic. About 150 tons of relief material including provisions, tents, generators, medicines etc were transported by the Indian Naval Ships to Sri Lanka.

Op CASTOR. Three ships with integral helicopters were deployed at Male commencing 28 Dec 04 to provide relief support to Maldives. These ships conducted numerous medical camps, provided assistance in restoration of power supplies / communication facilities and distributed over 30 tons of relief material in various affected islands of Maldives.

Op GAMBHIR.      On 29 Dec 04, the Govt ordered Indian Navy to provide disaster relief to Indonesia. Two ships including one hospital ship (Survey Vessel) were dispatched on 30 Dec 04 for conduct of relief operations in Indonesia. The ships were embarked with 40 tons of relief stores including medicines and medical teams.

Funds for Relief Operations

MoD on 26 Dec 04 sanctioned expenditure upto Rs 100 Cr from within the Naval Budget to meet emergent requirement/purchases related to relief operations mentioned at Para 3 to 5 above.  In order to ensure that ‘Disaster Relief Operations’ proceed smoothly, the delegated powers that are otherwise available during hostilities were also invoked for a period of four weeks with effect from 26 Dec 04.  Though MEA indicated that some amount expended on relief operations at Indonesia would be reimbursed, the Navy undertook relief operations not awaiting the funds from MEA.

As a token of solidarity and goodwill towards the affected countrymen all naval personnel contributed one-day pay and allowances to the PM’s Relief Fund.

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RECRUITMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR OFFICERS AND SAILORS OF THE INDIAN NAVY

Recruitment in the Navy is carried out on the basis of All India Merit.  The number of uniformed personnel recruited/inducted depends on the number of eligible applicants (men and women) who are able to qualify in the written test, Services Selection Board (SSB) interview, medical examination and their relative position in the Merit. No distinction is made on the basis of gender/religion/caste/creed/region either during recruitment or at any point of time thereafter.  

Recruitment of officers

The Method of Recruitment.  The recruitment system of the Navy is well streamlined, transparent, expeditious and candidate friendly.  There are two modes of induction in the Indian Navy viz. UPSC Entry and Non UPSC Entry.  The UPSC entries are National Defence Academy (NDA), Naval Academy Examination and Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE). All these are Permanent Commission (PC) entries.  UPSC short lists candidates after written examinations, candidates are sent to the SSBs located at Bangalore, Bhopal and Coimbatore.  Result of qualified candidates is forwarded to UPSC for making the final merit.  Medically fit candidates who are in the merit are appointed by ADG (Rtg) / IHQ of MoD (Navy) for appointment to NDA/Naval Academy.  The Non UPSC entries are both for Permanent Commission (PC) and Short Service Commission (SSC).  In this case the applications are invited and short listed at Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy) [IHQ of MoD (Navy)].  The short listed candidates are sent for SSB interviews.  Thereafter, a merit list, comprising qualified candidates, is prepared as per the availability of vacancies.

 Types of Entries.     

UPSC Entry.            The UPSC holds, twice a year, an examination for the entry into the National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy.  Candidates on completion of the 10+2 (PCM) Examination or while in the 12^th standard are eligible to compete. Successful candidates join the NDA or Naval Academy as Naval cadets. On completion of the NDA/Naval Academy training, they are sent to the training ships at Kochi for naval sea training.  For the Graduate Special Entry, the UPSC holds Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE), twice a year.  University graduates are eligible to appear in the examination. Successful candidates join the Naval Academy for the Naval Orientation Course (NOC).

Non UPSC Entry. Recruitment for the Non UPSC entries is made through Service Selection Board interviews for the following Branches/Cadres of the Navy:-

• Executive.  SSC for ATC/Law/Logistic/NAI/Hydro cadres and also PC for Law/NAI Cadres.

• Engineering (including Naval Architects).  SSC through University Entry Scheme (UES), Special Naval Architects Entry Scheme (SNAES) & SSC (E) Schemes.  PC through 10+2 (Tech) Scheme.

• Electrical Engineering.   SSC entry through UES and SSC(L) Schemes.  PC through 10+2 (Tech) Scheme.

• Education Branch.    PC and SSC.

10+2 (Tech) Scheme. The Scheme is a PC entry for commission in the Engineering and Electrical branches of the Indian Navy.  Under the scheme, candidates with 10 +2 (PCM) qualification, after selection through the Services Selection Board, are sent to the Naval Academy for the NOC. Thereafter, they undergo a four year Engineering course at INS Shivaji/Valsura. On successful completion of the course they are granted permanent commission in the Electrical and Engineering branches of the Navy.

University Entry Scheme (UES).    The UES has been re-launched wef Aug 05 course as a Short Service Commission Scheme. Final and Pre-Final year Engineering students are eligible for induction into the technical Branches/Cadres of the Navy. Naval selection teams from the IHQ of MoD (Navy) and Command Headquarters visit AICTE approved Engineering colleges, across the country, to shortlist the candidates.  The short listed candidates, based on all India Merit, are called for interview at the Services Selection Board. The successful candidates, thereafter, are put through the medical tests. Final selection is based on all India merit on the basis of marks obtained in the SSB interviews.

Special Naval Architecture Entry Scheme.     Government has recently approved the induction of 45 Naval Architect officers into the Naval Architecture Cadre of the Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy, as Short Service Commission Officers, under a Special scheme of ‘Special Naval Architects Entry Scheme’ (SNAES).  The terms and conditions of service, as laid down in regulations 124 of Chapter IV of Regs Navy Part III, are applicable to these officers also.

An empowered Naval team visits IIT Kharagpur, IIT Chennai, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and Andhra University, where B Tech (Naval Architecture) course is conducted, to select the candidates through campus interviews. The selected candidates undergo medical examination at the nearest Military Hospital and, if found fit, are selected for training.

Women Officers.  Women are being inducted into the Navy, as Short Service Commission (SSC) officers in the Executive (ATC, Law & Logistic Cadres) and the Education Branch.

Recruitment through NCC.       University graduates possessing NCC ‘C’ certificate, with minimum ‘B’ grading and 50% marks in the graduation degree examination, are inducted in the Navy as regular commissioned officers. These graduates are exempted from appearing in the CDSE conducted by the UPSC and are selected through the SSB interview only.  They join the Naval Academy for NOC alongwith the CDSE cadets.

Recruitment of Sailors

Method of Recruitment.        Recruitment of sailors in the Navy is also carried out on the All India Merit on the basis of a Written Examination, Physical Fitness Test and Medical Examination.  To make recruitment candidate friendly, the recruitment schedule is designed to cater for enough preparation time for the candidates and results are announced on the same day. Recruitment publicity for the Navy is carried out on all India basis through advertisements in all leading National & Regional newspapers and Employment News. Publicity material is also despatched to a large number of schools / colleges and all Zilla Sainik Boards. The local administration carries out the publicity drive in rural / backward areas through local media. 

Types of Entries.         The various entries, for recruitment of sailors, are as follows:-

• Artificer Apprentices (AAs) – 10+2 (PCM).

• Direct Entry (Diploma Holders) [DE (DH)] – Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Production/ Aeronautical /Metallurgy/Ship Building.

• Matric Entry Recruits – Matriculation.

• Non Matric Entry Recruits – Below Matric.

• Direct Entry Petty Officer (Out standing Sportsmen).

TRAINING of Foreign Personnel.       Training of foreign naval personnel is undertaken to enhance our defence-to-operation, especially with the littoral nations.  A majority of allocations made under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation/Special Aid Programmes for the Government of India. During the training year 2004 - 2005 sanction has been accorded for 210 Officers    and 199 Sailors from friendly foreign countries to be trained in India.  Details are as follows:-­

Deputation of IN Personnel for Courses Abroad. 23 personnel have been deputed abroad for training courses, till end Oct 04 and includes 12 personnel under United States International Military Education and Training programme.

First Training Squadron.     A total of 141 cadets were trained onboard INS Tir and Krishna of First Training Squadron. During the course of sea training, besides visiting all major ports of India, the cadets also visited port of Suez, Palermo, Alexandria, Port Said, Bandar Abbas, Al Fujaira and Muscat during the overseas deployment.

Civilian Personnel.   Indian Navy continued to focus on the Training & Development of Civilian Personnel, in line with the National Training Policy.  This is particularly relevant, as Civilians comprise approximately 50% of the Naval strength and unlike the sister Services, are involved in Operational, Maintenance and Logistic support functions. The first ever HRD Conference, was held at Kochi on 11 & 12 Mar 04.  On the basis of inputs at the Conference, initiatives were taken to conduct courses that were very well received by the participants.  In addition, an increasing number of courses have been scheduled at the induction and mid-career phases, as stipulated in Cadre Training Plans. These courses have brought the man in uniform and his civilian counterpart closer in appreciating each other.

Progressive Use of Hindi

Use of Hindi in offices is encouraged in all Naval establishments and some of the correspondence is also done in Hindi.  Details of various contributions to the progressive use of Hindi are as follows: -

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Networking and e-enabled solutions are the two key thrust areas the Navy has identified in the field of IT.  A large number of IT applications have been initiated in this financial year.  These initiatives aim to enhance efficiency in the fields of maintenance, health care management, human resource and material management, which have a direct bearing on our resource planning and war fighting capability.

Adventure and sports activities have wide, participation as part of integral development of Naval personnel.  These activities are not only necessary to develop technical, managerial and administrative skills, but also to develop higher levels of physical fitness, stamina, determination, agility, team work and esprit de corps.  Special emphasis is given to participation in water based sports, viz yatching, rowing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming and water polo.

Mountaineering.     The Navy undertook major mountaineering expeditions during 2004 creating several records in the process.  An expedition to Mt Everest from the Northern side (Tibet) was undertaken during Mar-Jun 04 and the following records were set: -

Soon after Mount Everest, a virgin and un-named peak (21,648 ft) in Eastern Ladakh was scaled by the IN team.  The peak was extremely difficult, which was the primary reason for it being unclimbed till date. Six Naval mountaineers braving hazards and technical difficulties summitted the peak on 09 Oct 04.  The Navy in order to mark the first ascent of the peak and as a tribute to the mountain has named the peak as “Konchuk Tsoo” which in Ladakhi language means ‘God of water’.

Enterprise World Championship 2004.            This Championship was conducted from 16-21 Aug 04 in Cork (Ireland).  There were a total of 77 boats.  A total of 08 races were held in varying wind and sea conditions (wind upto 25 knots and swell upto 2.5 mtrs was experienced).  The overall results of the four teams fielded by the Navy was as follows:-

• A Mongia/lt Amit Arvind                                -           Third              

• SS Chauhan PO/N Sharma LMA                -           Fourth

• NK Yadav MCPO I/GL Yadav MCPO II       -          Eighth

• Lt Cdr AS Patankar/ Lt SS Korti                 -           Ninth

Achievements of Naval Sportsmen 2003-04

National Shooting Championship 2004-05 was held at Indore from 05-15 Oct 04.

Naval personnel won three gold, five silver and 3 bronze medals.

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Medical Camps.    Medical and Blood donation camps are regularly organised by various naval Commands and outlying units.

Communal Harmony Week.        Debates with the theme of `National Integration’ was organised by the Western Naval Command to encourage communal harmony.

Other Initiatives.      Various other initiatives taken by the Navy to promote healthy relations with civilians are:-

EMPOWERMENT AND WELFARE OF WOMEN

The Indian Navy first inducted women in 1992. As on date, a total of 179 (including 58 Medical Officers) women officers are serving across various units in the Navy. These officers are assimilated into the mainstream and their promotion prospects, training as well as career progression are at par with their male counterparts.

Adult Literacy Class.   The Naval Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), has been regularly conducting adult literacy and computer classes for women.

IT complex are opened for ladies and family members for computer and IT learning.  It has been observed that a large number of women are using this facility.

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