It was 22 April 1958 when Vice Admiral R.D.Katri became the first Indian to become the Chief of Indian Navy. He became the first Admiral of Indian Navy.

He had a very distinguished and meritorious career of 35 years. During this time he had the distinction of many firsts on both professional and academic fronts.

Admiral Katari was born in Chinglenut which is about 40 miles away from Chennai. He spent his childhood and youth in Hyderabad. As soon as he completed his studies he joined the Training Ship DUFFERIN and he was the topper in the merit list of the Entrance Exam. He has the distinction of establishing the unique triple record on his name. He not only became the first cadet to join the Training Ship DUFFERIN, founded in 1927, but also became the Topper and thus got the First Viceroys Gold Medal. He also became the first ex cadet representative on the Governing Body of the DUFFERIN.

He had a very vast experience and held various appointments both afloat and ashore. He saw his last active war in service in the Atlanti and Indian Oceans. He held the post of instructor in the Anti Submarine School as he was specialized in this trade.

He was given the task of clearing the same mines which were laid down by him in the Andaan and nicobar Areas. He held Important sea commands. He commanded the Naval Forces which took part in the defence operation off the Kathiawar coast while he was commanding INS Kistna.

Subsequent to the war, he held important sea commands. He was responsible for clearing the mines that had been laid in the Andman & Nicobar areas. Later, the command of the Naval forces that took part in the defence operation off the Kathiawar coast devolved upon him when he was in command of INS Kistna. He served as the commander of Indias first cruiser INS Delhi since the time she was taken over in July 1948 up to early 1949.

In Dec 1948 he was promoted to the rank of captain in and just after about two months he took over as chief of personnel at Naval Headquarters.

He was also the Captain of the IN Destroyer Squadron and Commanding Officer of INS Rajput, the senior ship of the Squadron.

He was sent for a course at the Imperial Defence College in the United Kingdom in 1953. After his return from the course he was made the Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff in 1954 and was constituted Commodore. In the same year he became the first Indian to officiate as the Commander-in Chief of the Indian Navy.

In March 1956 he was promoted Rear-Admiral. Later in Oct he became the Flag Officer Commanding the Fleet, which post was until then held by British Officers.

He became Vice Admiral in April 1958 and he assumed the command of Navy.