14/05/2024
Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, assumed charge as the Chief of Personnel of , on 10 May 2024. He was commissioned in Indian Navy on 01 January 1989. In a career spanning 35 years, he has held a number of specialists, staff and operational appointments, both afloat and ashore. After completing his Specialisation Course in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he served as a specialist onboard several frontline warships. He subsequently had the privilege of holding challenging, fulfilling and eventful Commands at sea, which include, , , and the coveted appointment of Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet . During his tenure as FOCEF, he was the Officer in Tactical Command for the prestigious President’s Fleet Review and the Sea Phase of Indian Navy’s flagship multinational exercise , that witnessed an unprecedented participation from Friendly Foreign Countries . Ashore, he has held important staff appointments at the Naval Headquarters including Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development); headed Officers training at , and has held a diplomatic assignment overseas. Prior to assuming charge as the COP, he was the Chief of Staff of the and oversaw operations such as and events such as Op Demo 2023 at . An alumnus of Royal College of Defence Studies, London; Naval War College and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington; his educational accomplishments include M Phil (Defence & Strategic Studies), Masters in International Security and Strategic Studies from the Kings College, London, M.Sc (Defence & Strategic Studies), and M.Sc (Telecom) from . As recognition for his distinguished Service, he has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Medal, and Commendations by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.