Admiral Jal Cursetji's name is etched in history as the only Chief Hydrographer ever to become the Chief of the Naval Staff. A leader par excellence, he redefined naval leadership with his remarkable career spanning both hydrography and general service.

Commissioned in 1940, he served during World War II and commanded INS Bombay. He was instrumental in planning of setting up a hydrographic office in India. He served as the Surveyor-in-Charge, Marine Survey of India and commanded the survey ship INS Investigator. As a Captain, he became the first Indian Chief Hydrographer (1955–1957). Transitioning to general service, he took on crucial roles – commanding the 11th Destroyer Squadron, INS Vikrant, and serving as India’s first Naval Attaché to Washington D.C.

His strategic brilliance came to the fore in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, where as Chief of Operations, he orchestrated the devastating naval strikes on Karachi and Chittagong. Recognizing his leadership, he was awarded the Param Vishist Seva Medal.

Climbing the ranks, he became Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, before becoming The Chief of the Naval Staff in 1976. His leadership was internationally acknowledged when he became the first Indian to receive the U.S. Legion of Merit in 1978.

From mapping the seas to commanding fleets, Admiral Cursetji’s immense contribution to Indian Navy and hydrography has left behind a remarkable legacy.