New Delhi, March 23
Almost a month after Navy Chief Admiral DK Joshi quit, the Ministry of Defence is yet to take a final call on who to appoint as his successor. The delay is being attributed to reasons like conducting a fresh background check and assessing annual confidential reports. The appointment can take around 10 more days, sources maintain.

The ministry has also taken approval from the Election Commission for making the appointment. Joshi quit on February 26 after an accident on submarine INS Sindhuratna off the coast of Mumbai.

The government has formed a panel of five officers, including Vice-Admirals Shekhar Sinha (Western Command Chief), RK Dhowan (Vice-Chief), Anil Chopra (Eastern Command Chief), Satish Soni (Southern Command Chief) and SPS Cheema (Strategic Forces Command Chief).