The Cabinet Committee on Security, scheduled to meet on Friday, will consider the question of the outgoing Navy Chief, Admiral D.K. Joshi’s succession.
Western Navy commander Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha is next in line, but most of the recent accidents have taken place in his command.
Eastern Navy commander Vice-Admiral Anil Chopra is also a key contender, along with Vice-Admiral Satish Soni.
The Acting Navy Chief, Vice-Admiral Robin Dhowan, will also be considered, though sources said the fact that he had never served in an operation command, a traditional pre-requisite, would go against him.