Rajesh Pendharkar

Rear Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM is a serving Flag officer in the Indian Navy. He currently serves as the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST).
Education.
Pendharkar is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 1987. He attended the graduate course of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, as well as the Naval War College. Pendharkar also attended the Naval Command College, Rhode Island, USA. He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Navy career.
Pendharkar was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January 1987. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) specialist. His operational assignments include commissioning crew of the Off Shore Patrol Vessel INS Subhadra, ASW Officer of Indian Naval ships INS Dunagiri and INS Ganga, Executive Officer of missile corvette INS Kirpan and missile destroyer INS Mysore, and Command of missile corvette INS Kora, missile frigate INS Shivalik and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
His staff assignments include Flag Lieutenant to the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area, and instructor at the National Defence Academy. He also has held the appointments of the Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at Defence Intelligence Agency, New Delhi, and as the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) in Headquarters, Western Naval Command, and as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area.
Awards.
Pendharkar is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for distinguished service.