R. B. Pandit Explained

Honorific Prefix:	Vice Admiral
R. B. Pandit
Honorific Suffix:	PVSM, AVSM
Serviceyears:	July 1984 - September 2023
Rank:	Vice Admiral
Commands:	Western Fleet 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron INS Jalashwa INS Nirghat
Awards:	Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal

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.^[1]

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 and the only Amphibious transport dock of the Indian Navy - the INS Jalashwa.He has also commanded the 22nd Missile Vessel Squadron.^[2]

Flag rank

After promotion to the flag rank of Rear Admiral, Pandit commanded the Western Fleet.^[3]

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.^[4]

In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has served as the Commandant of the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala^[5] 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.^[6] He was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command on 31 August 2021.^[7] On 26 January 2023, he was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of the most exceptional order.^[8]

Awards and decorations

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

Param Vishisht Seva Medal	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal	Samanya Seva Medal	Special Service Medal
Operation Vijay Medal	Sainya Seva Medal	Videsh Seva Medal	50th Anniversary of Independence Medal
	30 Years Long Service Medal	20 Years Long Service Medal	9 Years Long Service Medal

References

|-|-|-

Notes and References

1. Web site: Vice Admiral RB Pandit, AVSM takes over as the Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command at Mumbai. Commissioned in Jul 84, he is an alumnus of NDA. An Anti Submarine Warfare Specialist, he has commanded a missile corvette, a frigate & a Landing Platform Dock 1/2pic.twitter.com/9qlEBslT5Z . en . 16 June 2019.
2. Web site: Vice Admiral RB Pandit, AVSM Assumes Charge as Commandant Indian Naval Academy . 19 February 2018 . Indian Navy. 19 January 2020.
3. Web site: Rear Admiral R.B. Pandit is Western Fleet chief . The Hindu . en-IN . 16 October 2016.
4. Web site: R B Pandit takes charge as head of Southern command . DNA India . en . 2 April 2015.
5. Web site: Vice-Admiral Pandit takes over as Commandant of INA . The Economic Times . 19 February 2018.
6. Web site: 390 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced . pib.gov.in.
7. Web site: https://twitter.com/prasadpanseMT/status/1433351019845410818 . X (formerly Twitter) . 5 October 2023 . en.
8. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND GALLANTRY AWARDS TO INDIAN NAVY PERSONNEL ON REPUBLIC DAY - 2023. PIB. 2023-01-25.