The IN Chief had said not too long ago long-terms plans for 2030 was t have atleast 6 CBGs. Understanding that at any one time not all the carriers will be ready to be deployed with ships undergoing servicing and upgrades. It will be interesting to see what the IN has planned for IAC-2 as all reports are that the ship will be significantly larger and possibly the first IN ACC to be CATOBAR configured since INS VIKRANT possibly with EMALS (which IN has apparently shown deep interest in). Also IN has sent out RFIs for N-MMRCA to operate of future IACs with the Mig-29Ks purely for IAC-1 and Vikramditya.
It is never what the navy chief want , but what the MOD wants
Navy chief might want 6 carriers by 2030 ,but MOD has till now given the go ahead for only 3, ie Vikramaditya , Vikrant and IAC 2 , with IAC 2 actually entering service in 2022-24
it is Possible that MOD might OK the IAC 3 in 2020 after the launch of IAC 2 , and we could see IAC 3 which will be about the same size as IAC 2 , entering service by 2030
Another thing that you guys should note is that the Present Navy chief and the Last 2 ones have been naval aviators having spent significant time with Vikrant I and Viraat , this has been the reason for there love for Deploying multiple CBGs , even if it comes at the cost of Submarine force
This is the reason why the carrier lobby wants the submarine force to comprise of 12 modern SSKs and 4 SSNs apart from 4 SSBNs
While the submarine force wants 15 modern SSKs and 6 SSN apart from 4 SSBNs
The carrier Lobby feels that they can get an additional Aircaft carrier by reducing the number of planned SSKs by 3 and SSNs by 2 , which will save 7-8 Billion USD
Infact the funds for IAC 2 will partly come at the cost of reducing the SSNs to be inducted from 6 to 4 , which has been aproved by MOD