Director General Project Seabird
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, AVSM, VSM
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 July 1988. He is an alumnus of the 72nd Course, National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala, and was awarded the President’s Gold Medal on passing out. He was the recipient of the ‘Binoculars’ during Sea Cadet Training, Sword of Honour during Midshipmen training and Admiral RD Katari Trophy for standing first during Sub Lieutenant Courses. The Flag Officer is a Navigation and Direction specialist, where he stood first in the Course and was adjudged the Best All-round Trainee.
He did the Overseas Staff Course from France during 2002-2003 and Naval Higher Command Course in 2009-2010, where he was awarded the CNS Gold Medal for Best Op Paper.
His afloat appointments include Navigating Officer of INS Kirpan, Commissioning Navigating Officer of INS Mysore, Direction Officer, INS Viraat and Executive Officer, INS Delhi. The Flag Officer has commanded INS Nishank, INS Kora and was the commissioning CO of INS Kolkata.
He has also held important staff appointments that include Instructor, Project 15 Training Team, Joint Director of Staff Requirements and Joint Director of Personnel at Naval Headquarters and Captain Work Up at Local Workup Team (East). He served as the Naval Attaché at the Embassy of India, Moscow from 2016 to 2018. On promotion to Rear Admiral, he was appointed as the Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala from March 2019 to January 2021 and as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet from 23 Febuary 2021 to 19 December 2021. On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral on 24 December 2021, took over as Director General Project Seabird.
The Flag Officer comes from a service background. His late father was in the Army and retired as a Major General. His mother was a school teacher. His elder brother too was in the Army and retired in 2017. He did most of his schooling from Delhi Public School, Mathura Road, New Delhi. The Flag Officer is married to Mrs Shagun Sobti, who is also from an Army background and is an Educationist by profession. She was formerly the Vice Principal at BD Somani International School, Mumbai. They have one daughter, Mallika, who holds a Masters degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. She is presently working for ID Insight, a global advisory, data analytics and research organisation specialising in social impact evaluation, and is based at Delhi.
