Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla Assumes Charge as Chief of Personnel of Indian Navy

Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, AVSM, NM, has taken over as the Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy on 10th May 2024. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1st January 1989, Vice Admiral Bhalla brings with him a distinguished career spanning 35 years, marked by a multitude of specialist, staff, and operational roles, both at sea and ashore.

His journey includes serving as a specialist aboard several frontline warships following the completion of his Specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare. Notably, Vice Admiral Bhalla has held commanding positions at sea, commanding INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, and INS Beas, and serving as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF). His tenure as FOCEF witnessed significant responsibilities, including overseeing the prestigious President’s Fleet Review (PFR – 22) and the Sea Phase of the Indian Navy’s flagship multinational exercise MILAN – 22.

Onshore, Vice Admiral Bhalla has held pivotal staff appointments at the Naval Headquarters, including Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development), and has played a crucial role in officer training at the Naval Academy. Furthermore, he has represented the Indian Navy in a diplomatic capacity overseas.

An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as the Royal College of Defence Studies, London; Naval War College; and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; Vice Admiral Bhalla holds notable educational credentials, including an M Phil in Defence & Strategic Studies, a Master in International Security and Strategic Studies from Kings College, London, and M.Sc degrees in Defence & Strategic Studies from Madras University and Telecom from CUSAT.

For his exemplary service, Vice Admiral Bhalla has been honored with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Nao Sena Medal, and commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, underscoring his significant contributions to the Indian Navy.