Dhowan, who served as Deputy Chief of the Navy, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy.
He has undergone various courses in India and abroad, including the Sea Harrier Direction course at Yeovilton, UK and the Naval Command Course at Naval War College, Rhode Island, USA.
Dhowan has held various important staff appointments at naval headquarters, which include Deputy Director Naval Operations, Joint Director Naval Plans and as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy and Plans), Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.
He also commanded the Eastern Fleet as Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, one of the two operational fleet of the Navy.