The Chief of the Naval Staff (India), also known as the Navy Chief, abbreviated to CNS, is a statutory position in the Indian Navy held by a four star admiral. As the highest ranking officer to serve solely in the Indian Navy, the chief is the professional head of the naval branch and the principal naval adviser to the Minister of Defence. The CNS, in a separate capacity, is also a member of the National Security Council and thereby an advisor to the president and the prime minister. The CNS is typically the most senior naval officer in the Indian Armed Forces, unless the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee is a naval officer.