In January 1966, proposals were initiated to redesignate the nomenclature of the four Naval Operational and Administrative Authorities. In war, these operational authorities would be responsible for the conduct of maritime operations and operational control of maritime forces in their respective sea areas. After harmonisation with other concurrent proposals for rationalisation and upgradation, the following major reorganisation came into effect on 1 March 1968:

- The Flag Officer Bombay (FOB) who had hitherto been junior to the Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet (FOCIF) was re-designated as Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command (FOCINCWEST) and upgraded in rank to Vice Admiral.

- The Flag Officer Commanding Indian Fleet (FOCIF) was subordinated to the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Western Naval Command (FOCINCWEST). Instead of "all front line ships," including those undergoing refit being under FOCIF "only operational ships" as alloted by FOCINCWEST would be under the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Fleet (FOCWEF). The non operational Fleet ships undergoing refit in Bombay Dockyard would be administered directly by FOCINCWEST.

- In anticipation of the formation of the Eastern Fleet under the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) after the arrival of the Petyas and submarines from Russia, the Commodore East Coast (COMEAST) at Visakhapatnam was re-designated as Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Naval Command (FOCINCEAST) in the rank of Read Admiral.

- Commodore in Charge Cochin (COMCHIN) was re-designated as Commodore Commanding Southern Naval Area (COMSOUTH).

- All ships, aircraft, dockyard and logistics support facilities were placed directly under the respective administrative and operational control of FOCINCWEST, FOCINCEAST and COMSOUTH.

- In 1970 COMSOUTH was upgraded to the rank of Rear Admiral and re-designated as Flag Officer Commanding Southern Naval Area (FOCSOUTH).

- In 1971, Eastern Fleet was constituted under FOCEF.

SOON AFTER 1975

In 1977:

(a) FOCSOUTH was upgraded to the rank of Vice Admiral and re-designated as Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Southern Naval Command (FOCINCSOUTH).

(b) Naval Officer in Charge, Goa (NOIC GOA) was upgraded to the rank of Rear Admiral and re-designated as Flag Officer Commanding Goa Area (FOGA).