He is the first service chief from India's armed forces to be born post Indian Independence.

He studied in the National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Navy.

[citation needed] After graduating, Admiral Mehta joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Indian Navy, where he flew the Hawker Sea Hawk off the aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

In 1995, Admiral Mehta was awarded the Ati Vishist Seva Medal.

After retirement, the Indian government appointed him as India's High Commissioner to New Zealand.