years, till November 1956. In October 1956, Chatterji was selected to attend the Imperial Defence College (IDC) and embarked for the UK in early 1957. After completing the year-long course, he returned to India and was appointed the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff on 8 February 1958. Flag Rank On 5 March 1959, the appointment was upgraded to two-star rank and Chatterji was promoted to the acting rank of Rear Admiral. Promotion to the substantive rank of Rear Admiral followed, on 5 March 1960. In May 1962, Chatterji took over as the fourth Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet. The aircraft carrier had joined the Indian Navy in 1961 and was the flagship. AS commanding officer, Chatterji flew his flag on the Vikrant. In September 1962, he led the fleet in joint naval-air exercises in the Arabian Sea. Taking part were the aircraft embarked on the Vikrant, the aircraft from the Naval air station INS Garuda and the aircraft of the Indian Air Force. In mid-1963, Chatterji led the fleet in exercises in the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. After this, the fleet called on ports in Malaya, Singapore and Thailand. During the exercise and goodwill visit, Chatterji flew his flag on the flagship , which became the first Indian cruiser to visit Thailand. After commanding the Indian fleet for about two years, he relinquished command, handing over to Rear Admiral S.M. Nanda. In January 1964, Chatterji was promoted to the acting rank of Vice Admiral and appointed the second Commandant of the National Defence College. He was the first Naval Officer to hold the appointment. Chief of Naval Staff In November 1965, Chatterji was appointed the seventh Chief of the Naval Staff. On 4 March 1966, he took over from Vice Admiral Soman. He was confirmed in his rank of vice-admiral on 22 November 1966, and was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 March 1968, the first Indian officer to hold the rank. Admiral Chatterji retired from the Indian Navy on 28 February 1970. Death Admiral Chatterji died in New Delhi. Citations References 1914 births 2001 deaths Chiefs of the Naval Staff (India) Indian Navy admirals Flag Officers Commanding Indian Fleet Deputy Chiefs of Naval Staff (India) Commandants of National Defence College, India University of Calcutta alumni Royal Indian Navy officers Graduates of the Royal College of Defence Studies Indian naval attachés