In a significant transition within the Indian Navy, Commodore Kartik Murthy, VSM, officially assumed command of INS Circars, the Base Depot Ship of the Eastern Naval Command, on December 22, 2025. He took over from Commodore Happy Mohan, VSM, in a ceremony marked by the Navy’s time-honored traditions.
Commodore Kartik Murthy, who was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1998, is a Gunnery and Missile Specialist with an impressive career spanning nearly three decades. His extensive service record includes a diverse array of staff and instructional roles, where he has made significant contributions to both operational preparedness and military education.
Throughout his career, he has commanded several frontline and auxiliary warships, including the INS T-80, INS Vipul, INS Kuthar, and INS Satpura. These commands have provided him with substantial sea experience, reinforcing his leadership capabilities within the Navy. His key shore-based appointments encompass vital positions at Naval Headquarters and the National Security Council Secretariat, where he focused on higher defense planning and national security issues.
Commodore Murthy’s career has also included a significant diplomatic aspect, serving as the Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Jakarta, Indonesia. In this role, he played a crucial part in strengthening defense cooperation and fostering naval diplomacy between India and Indonesia.
An advocate for professional military education, Commodore Murthy is an alumnus of several prestigious institutions, including the National Defence Academy, the Indonesian Naval Staff and Command College, the Naval War College in Goa, and the National Defence College. His dedication and service have been recognized with the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) awarded in 2023.
The change-of-command ceremony at INS Circars was conducted with the customary naval decorum, ensuring a seamless transition at this key logistics and support establishment. INS Circars serves a vital function, providing administrative, logistical, and depot-level support to naval units operating along India’s eastern coastline.
Upon assuming command, Commodore Kartik Murthy expressed his commitment to upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Navy. He emphasized his intent to enhance INS Circars’ role in supporting frontline battle units, underscoring the Navy’s focus on maintaining operational readiness, ensuring leadership continuity, and striving for institutional excellence.
