R. B. Pandit

Vice Admiral Ravindra Bhartruhari Pandit, PVSM, AVSM is a former Flag Officer of the Indian Navy. He last served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command. He assumed the position from Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar. He earlier served as the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, as Commandant of Indian Naval Academy and as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet.

Career
Pandit graduated from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Navy in July 1984. He is an Anti-submarine warfare specialist.

During his career, he has attended the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, College of Naval Warfare, Mumbai and the Royal College of Defence Studies, London. Pandit has commanded the Veer-class corvette INS Nirghat, the Nilgiri-class frigate INS Vindhyagiri (F42) and the only Amphibious transport dock of the Indian Navy - the INS Jalashwa. He has also commanded the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron.

Flag rank
After promotion to the flag rank of Rear Admiral, Pandit commanded the Western Fleet.

Ashore, he has served as the Naval Advisor at the High Commission of India, Islamabad in Pakistan, the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation and Intelligence) at the Naval Headquarters and the Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command.

In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has served as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala before taking over as the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command. On 26 January 2018, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of a high order. He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command on 31 August 2021. On 26 January 2023, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of the most exceptional order.

Awards and decorations
Pandit was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023.