On promotion to Flag Rank, Bhalla took over as the Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development) (ACOP HRD) at naval headquarters. ACOP is an assistant principal staff officer appointment. On 20 December 2021, he assumed the office of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), taking over from Rear AdmiralTarun Sobti who commanded the Eastern Fleet from February to December 2021.[2] On 26 January 2022, he was awarded the Nao Sena Medal for devotion to duty.[5] As FOCEF, he was the officer in tactical command during the President's Fleet Review (PFR) held in February 2022.[6] On 1 April 2023, he was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, taking over Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.[7] On 26 January 2024, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.[8]