NAVAL War College

Vision

To be the pre-eminent Higher Education Institution (HEI) facilitating Professional Military Education (PME), Wargaming and Research on maritime security and joint warfare at strategic and operational level.

Mission

To educate officers of the Indian Armed Forces, Friendly Foreign Countries and Government Organisations for leadership at strategic and operational level by developing strategic vision, critical thinking, analytical ability, persuasive skills and proficiency in operational art.

Naval War College (NWC) is the Indian Navy’s premier institution of higher military studies and maritime research. It was inaugurated on 17 Sep 1988 by the then Minister of Defence, Shri KC Pant at Naval Station Karanja, Navi Mumbai and was named as the College of Naval Warfare (CNW). It was rechristened as the ‘Naval War College’ in Aug 2010. The College moved to its present location at Naval Station, INS Mandovi, Goa in Aug 2011.
The new Naval War College, The Chola Bhavan, was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh, on 04 March 2024. The Chola building symbolizes the might of the Chola dynasty. It stands atop Verem Hill, overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Mandovi River. Designed around a 240-year-old banyan tree, the architecture of the Chola building emphasizes the preservation of the original topography. Equipped with green building specifications, a 100-kilowatt solar power plant, and a 10-lakh-litre rainwater harvesting tank, the building is fully compliant with GRIHA 4 norms.
Chola Bhavan, the Naval War College building has been designed to provide a world-class integrated facility to cater for Professional Military Education, Research and Wargaming requirements of Indian Navy. It is aptly named after one of India’s most magnificent maritime dynasties, the Cholas whose maritime might and prowess left an indelible mark on India.
The College conducts numerous National Security and Maritime Security programmes for Flag Officers/ General Officers/ Air Officers, the courses include Naval Higher Command Courses (NHCC), Naval Staff and Technical Management Courses (NSTMC) and Maritime Security Course (MSC) (for international officers). The alumni of the College include the Chief of the Naval Staff, several Commanders-in-Chief and Principal Staff Officers at Naval Headquarters and many Flag Officers.
The College aims to prepare participant officers for ‘leadership at the Strategic and Operational levels by developing critical thinking, analytical ability and proficiency in Operational Art’.

Organisational Structure

Rear Admiral Arjun Dev Nair, VSM assumed command of the Naval War College, Goa in Nov 23. He is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College, New Delhi. The Officer has commanded IN Ships TRV-72, Nashak, Kirpan and Trikand. He was Principal Director (Training) at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala as well as the Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. He has held various important staff appointments at Naval Headquarters, New Delhi, which include tenures as Assistant Chief of Personnel (Administration and Civilian) and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Staff Requirements). He holds an MSc (Defence and Strategic Studies) degree from Madras University and an MPhil (Defence and Strategic Studies) Degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Commodore P Sasi Kumar, VSM joined as Deputy Commandant of the Naval War College in Sept 2025 post completion of the NDC course at Jakarta, Indonesia. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare specialist and has headed the Navy's ASW School. He has tenanted various afloat appointments on board frontline warships and has commanded a Missile Corvette and a Destroyer. He has also commanded a shore station and has been in charge of Navy's tasks in the Indian state of West Bengal as well as the whole of North Eastern part of the country. In addition to his afloat appointments, he has undertaken important staff duties at Naval Headquarters New Delhi and Coast Guard Headquarters including serving as Naval Assistant to the Director General Coast Guard. He has a strong training and mentoring background having been a Divisional Officer for Officer Cadets, head of a professional training school and the 'Captain Work-up' responsible for bringing up war-fighting standards of naval ships. He holds four C-in-C level Commendations in addition to VSM which were conferred to him at various stages of his career.

Courses

Naval Higher Command Course

The course is designed for officers of the rank of Captains (and equivalent rank) and is conducted at the Naval War College at Goa, as scheduled by Naval Headquarters (NHQ). The aim of the NHCC is to educate Officers of Indian Armed Forces including Coast Guard and Defence Civilians with adequate growth potential in the higher directions of war, strategy and operations.

Naval Staff and Technical Management Course

NSTMC is designed to provide officers in the rank of Cdr/ Lt Cdr (and equivalent ranks) with Professional Military Education (PME) focussed on Maritime Studies, Staff Duties and Management. The course is considered equivalent and at par with DSSC staff course as regards PME. The aim of the course is to educate and skill mid-level officers in the art of executing the entire spectrum of functions related to conduct of war and warfare through development of a clear understanding of staff processes, operational art and management techniques aided by critical thinking and analytical abilities.

Maritime Security Course

As part of Indian Navy’s foreign cooperation initiatives, a Maritime Security Course (MSC) for officers of the rank of Captain/ equivalent of Maritime Security Agencies from Friendly Foreign Countries (FFCs) is being conducted at NWC since 2016. The course is conducted for duration of eight weeks or as directed. The course is conducted under the Self Financing Scheme (SFS), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Category (ITEC I & II), and Special Aid Programme (SAP) of Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and as directed by GoI from time to time. Commencing 2024 edition of MSC, a Certificate on Maritime Security and Governance is also being issued to participants completing the course along with the award of Alumni Badge post submission of a Maritime Security Research Paper.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Naval War College, Goa has been recognised as a Research Centre for Doctoral Studies (PhD) by the University of Mumbai under Faculty of Humanities, in the subject ‘Defence and Strategic Studies.’ The commencement of each PhD programme is notified by a Signal (IG). The broad topics for the PhD research programme are notified in the IG. Candidates can indicate specific areas of interest in which they desire to undertake research along with their experience in the concerned field.

Research Fellowship for Indian Army Officers

NWC provides Research fellowship by Indian Army (IA) officers on study leave at Naval War College (NWC), Goa for a period of two years. Topics pertaining to research in maritime domain for Research Fellowship at NWC, Goa are sought from NHQ/ DNT by the Training Branch, HQ ARTRAC in the month of Apr/ May every year. All officers approved for Research fellowship at NWC, Goa by ARTRAC are invited for a ‘selection interview’ by a Screening Committee between 15 and 31 May of the subsequent year.

Naval Wargaming Center

Directorate of Strategy, Concepts and Transformation, Naval Headquarters has designated NWC, Goa as 'Centre of Excellence in Wargaming' for the Indian Navy vide 16th Indian Naval Security and Operational Council (INSOC) meeting, chaired by the CNS. With the inauguration of Naval Wargaming Center by Chief of the Naval Staff on 04 Apr 25, NWC has become the nodal agency for Strategic and Op Level wargaming in the Indian Navy. The NWGC includes a dedicated wargaming floor optimised for multi-sided operational and strategic level wargaming. Equipped with a specialised wargaming library, wargame design facilities, recording studio and computer-based wargaming system, the NWGC is well suited for both educational and analytical wargaming.

Facilities

24X7 NWC Library
Installation of RFID based Library Theft Detection System coupled with e-Granthalya 3.0 has enabled 24x7 access to the Naval Reference Library.
NWC Gym
A NWC Gym facility offers a well-equipped space for physical training and resilient building. Gym offers modern equipment and disciplined atmosphere. Fitness here is a part of mission to lead with strength and endurance.
NWC Cafeteria
NWC provides cafeteria facility for student officers and staff. It serves as a convenient and comfortable space for dining and social interaction.
Auditorium
NWC features a modern auditorium with a seating capacity 190 and the facility equipped for events, seminars, and cultural programs. It provides a comfortable and professional setting for large gatherings.